Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(4): 287-291
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1270486
Orthopedics & Biomechanics

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Retrospective Review Over 1999 to 2007 of Head, Shoulder and Knee Soft Tissue and Fracture Dislocation Injuries and Associated Costs for Rugby League in New Zealand

D. King1 , P. Hume2 , S. Gianotti3 , T. Clark4
  • 1Hutt Valley DHB, Emergency Department, Wellington, New Zealand
  • 2AUT University, Institute of Sport and Recreation Research New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
  • 3Accident Compensation Corporation, Programme Management, Wellington, New Zealand
  • 4Massey University Wellington, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health, Wellington, New Zealand
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision December 10, 2010

Publication Date:
04 March 2011 (online)

Abstract

King et al. reported that of 5 941 moderate to serious claims resulting in medical treatment for rugby league injuries, the knee, shoulder, and head and neck body sites and soft tissue and fracture-dislocation injuries were most frequent and costly in the New Zealand national no-fault injury compensation corporation database during 1999 to 2007. However, additional analyses of knee, shoulder and head and neck body sites by soft tissue and fracture-dislocation injury types was required to enable a greater understanding of the nature of injuries most likely to be seen by sports medical personnel dealing with rugby league players. From 1999 to 2007 the injury claims and costs for head and neck soft tissue, fracture-dislocations, shoulders soft tissue significantly increased. Knee soft tissue injury claims and costs significantly decreased from 1999 to 2007. There was no significant difference in knee fracture-dislocation injury claims but there was a significant increase in knee fracture-dislocation injury costs from 1999 to 2007. Changes in the nature of injuries may be related to changes in defensive techniques employed in rugby league during this time. Sports medical personnel dealing with rugby league players should focus their injury prevention strategies on reducing musculoskeletal injuries to the head and shoulder. There should be a focus on increasing awareness of correct tackling technique, head injury awareness and management of suspected cervical spine injuries.

References

  • 1 Berry J, Harrison J, Yeo J, Cripps R, Stephenson S. Cervical spinal cord injury in rugby union and rugby league: are incidence rates declining in NSW?.  Aust NZ J Public Health. 2006;  30 268-274
  • 2 Gabbett T. Incidence, site, and nature of injuries in amateur rugby league over three consecutive seasons.  Br J Sports Med. 2000;  34 98-103
  • 3 Gabbett T. Incidence of injury in junior and senior rugby league players.  Sports Med. 2004;  34 849-859
  • 4 Gabbett T, Kelly J. Does fast defensive line speed influence tackling proficiency in collision sport athletes?.  Int J Sports Sci Coach. 2007;  2 467-472
  • 5 Gianotti S, Hume P. A cost-outcome approach to pre and post-implementation of national sports injury prevention programmes.  J Sci Med Sport. 2007;  10 436-446
  • 6 Gianotti S, Marshall S, Hume P, Bunt L. Incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury and other knee ligament injuries: A national population-based study.  J Sci Sport Med. 2009;  12 622-627
  • 7 Harriss D, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
  • 8 Headey J, Brooks J, Kemp S. The epidemiology of shoulder injuries in English professional rugby union.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35 1537-1543
  • 9 Hodgson Phillips L. Sports injury incidence.  Br J Sports Med. 2000;  34 133-136
  • 10 King D, Hume P, Milburn P, Gianotti S. Rugby league injuries in New Zealand: A review of 8 years of Accident Compensation Corporation injury entitlement claims and costs.  Br J Sports Med. 2009;  43 595-602
  • 11 King D, Hume P, Milburn P, Guttenbeil D. Match and training injuries in rugby league: A review of published studies.  Sports Med. 2010;  40 163-178
  • 12 Lythe M, Norton R. Rugby league injuries in New Zealand.  NZ J Sports Med. 1992;  20 6-7
  • 13 Medina J, McKeon P, Hertel J. Rating the levels of evidence in sports-medicine research.  Athl Ther Today. 2006;  11 45-48
  • 14 Meir R, Arthur D, Forrest M. Time and motion analysis of professional rugby league: A case study.  Strength Cond Coach. 1993;  1 24-29
  • 15 Orchard J. Is there a relationship between ground and climatic conditions and injuries in football?.  Sports Med. 2002;  32 419-432
  • 16 Steffen K, Andersen T, Krosshaug T, van Mechelen W, Myklebust G, Verhagen E, Bahr R. ECSS position statement 2009: Prevention of acute sports injuries.  Eur J Sport Sci. 2010;  10 223-236

Correspondence

Doug KingPhD 

Hutt Valley DHB

Emergency Department

Private Bag 31–907

5010 Wellington

New Zealand

Phone: +64/3/5891 816

Fax: +64/3/5891 816

Email: douglas.king@huttvalleydhb.org.nz

    >