Jack Robert A, Sochacki Kyle R, Gardner Stephanie S, McCulloch Patrick C, Lintner David M, Cosculluela Pedro E, Varner Kevin E, Harris Joshua D
1 Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Foot Ankle Int. 2017 Oct;38(10):1092-1099. doi: 10.1177/1071100717718131. Epub 2017 Jul 25.
Achilles tendon injuries are common in sports, including football. The purpose of this study was to determine (1) return-to-sport rate in National Football League (NFL) players following Achilles tendon repair, (2) postoperative career length and games per season, (3) pre- and postoperative performance, and (4) postoperative performance compared with control players matched by position, age, years of experience, and performance.
Publicly available records were used to identify NFL players who underwent Achilles tendon repair and matched controls were identified. Ninety-five players (98 surgeries) were analyzed (mean age 28.2 ± 2.8 years; mean 5.5 ± 2 .8 years in NFL at time of surgery). Demographic and performance data were collected. Comparisons between case and control groups and preoperative and postoperative time points were made using paired-samples Student t tests.
Seventy-one (72.4%) players were able to return to sport in the NFL at a mean of 339.8 ± 84.8 days following surgery. Thirty-one (32%) Achilles tendon repairs were performed during training camp or preseason. Controls (3.6 ± 2.1 years) had a significantly longer NFL career ( P < .05) than players who underwent Achilles tendon repair (2.7 ± 2.1 years). There was no significant difference in games per season in subsequent seasons following surgery compared with controls. Postoperative performance scores were significantly worse ( P < .05) for running backs (RBs) (n = 4) and linebackers (LBs) (n = 12) compared to preoperative scores. LBs had significantly worse postoperative performance scores when compared to matched controls ( P < .05).
Following Achilles tendon repair, less than 75% of players returned to the NFL. Postoperative career length was 1 season shorter than matched controls. No difference was observed in the number of games per season played compared to matched controls. Postoperative performance scores were significantly worse for RBs and LBs compared to preoperative and LBs had significantly worse postoperative performance when compared to matched controls.
Level III, retrospective comparative series.
跟腱损伤在包括足球在内的体育运动中很常见。本研究的目的是确定：（1）美国国家橄榄球联盟（NFL）球员跟腱修复后的重返赛场率；（2）术后职业生涯长度和每个赛季的比赛场次；（3）术前和术后的表现；（4）与按位置、年龄、经验年限和表现匹配的对照球员相比，术后的表现。
使用公开记录来识别接受跟腱修复的NFL球员，并确定匹配的对照组。对95名球员（98次手术）进行了分析（平均年龄28.2±2.8岁；手术时在NFL的平均年限为5.5±2.8年）。收集了人口统计学和表现数据。使用配对样本学生t检验对病例组和对照组以及术前和术后时间点进行比较。
71名（72.4%）球员在术后平均339.8±84.8天能够重返NFL赛场。31次（32%）跟腱修复手术是在训练营或季前赛期间进行的。对照组（3.6±2.1年）的NFL职业生涯显著长于接受跟腱修复的球员（2.7±2.1年）（P<.05）。与对照组相比，术后后续赛季每个赛季的比赛场次没有显著差异。与术前得分相比，跑卫（RB）（n = 4）和 linebacker（LB）（n = 12）的术后表现得分显著更差（P<.05）。与匹配的对照组相比，LB的术后表现得分显著更差（P<.05）。
跟腱修复后，不到75%的球员重返NFL。术后职业生涯长度比匹配的对照组短1个赛季。与匹配的对照组相比，每个赛季的比赛场次没有差异。与术前相比，RB和LB的术后表现得分显著更差，并且与匹配的对照组相比，LB的术后表现显著更差。
三级，回顾性比较系列研究。
