Effect of Achilles Tendon Rupture on Player Performance and Longevity in National Basketball Association Players
Recommended Citation
Khalil LS, Jildeh TR, Tramer JS, Abbas MJ, Hessberg L, Mehran N, Okoroha KR. Effect of Achilles Tendon Rupture on Player Performance and Longevity in National Basketball Association Players. Orthop J Sports Med 2020; 8(11).
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
11-1-2020
Publication Title
Orthop J Sports Med
Abstract
Background: National Basketball Association (NBA) players who return to sport (RTS) after Achilles tendon rupture have been reported to have poor outcomes.
Purpose: To evaluate the effect of Achilles tendon ruptures on player performance and career longevity in NBA athletes.
Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
Methods: NBA players who sustained Achilles tendon ruptures between 1970 and 2019 were identified using publicly available resources and were matched 1:1 to a healthy control group by age, position, height, and body mass index. Demographic characteristics, player utilization (games and minutes), and performance efficiency rating (PER) were documented for all athletes. The season of Achilles tendon rupture was set as the index year, and statistical analysis compared postindex versus preindex data both acutely and in the long term. Percentages relative to preoperative values were calculated to compare the injured and control groups in a standardized fashion.
Results: Of 47 players, 34 (72.3%) with Achilles tendon ruptures returned to play at the NBA level after surgical intervention. A total of 7 players were excluded from the study. No differences were found in demographic characteristics or PER (2 years before injury) between the remaining 27 players and matched controls. The injured players had significantly shorter careers compared with control players (3.1 ± 2.3 vs 5.8 ± 3.5 seasons, respectively;
Conclusion: Our study found that 72.3% of NBA players returned to play after Achilles tendon repair, but they had shorter careers compared with uninjured controls. Players returning from Achilles tendon repairs had decreased game utilization and performance at all time points relative to their individual preindex baseline. However, for the injured players when compared with controls, game utilization but not performance was found to be decreased at 3-year follow-up.
PubMed ID
33294475
Volume
8
Issue
11
