Burgess, Louise

Gavin, James

Bournemouth University Research Online

The Incidence of Injuries and the Epidemiology of Osteoarthritis in Retired, Amateur, Rugby Union Males Louise Burgess, James P Gavin  Department of Sport & Physical Activity, Bournemouth University, Poole, UK AIM: To examine the epidemiology of osteoarthritis in male, former rugby union players, compared to untrained, aged-matched males.  Background Results Conclusion References lburgess@bournemouth.ac.uk @BU_Orthopaedic www.bournemouth.ac.uk/ori Research and Impact in Active Ageing  Friday 24th June 2016 Lancaster, UK Methods Two-hundred retired, amateur rugby union players (43±11 years) and two-hundred healthy males (38±8 years) completed online and paper questionnaires, including sections on: sporting, injury and medical history, adapted from USA rugby (2015).  Age, height, weight, musculoskeletal disorders, injury history, affected joints, career duration, reason for retirement and previous surgery were recorded.    Outcome Measures Prospective studies are required in order to assess the severity of the long-term implications of premature, post-traumatic OA and the disability and loss of function it may cause. Future research could examine bone density. The involvement of a radiologic assessment would provide further details about the nature and precise site of OA, increasing detail and adding depth to the research.   Frequency (RU) Valid Percent (%) (RU) Frequency (Non-athletic) Valid Percent (%) (Non-athletic) Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval)  Osteoarthritis 93 46.5 24 12.0 6.37 (3.83-10.60) Joint Weakness 37 18.5 29 14.5 0.75 (0.44-1.28) Overuse Injury 24 12.0 9 4.5 2.74 (1.24-6.07) Rheumatoid Arthritis 0 0.0 4 2.0 - Osteoporosis 0 0.0 38 19.0 - None 46 23.0 96 48.0 N/A Total 200 100.0 200 100.0 N/A Results: There was a 34.5% (odds ratio (OR) 6.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.83-10.60) higher prevalence of clinical OA within the ex-rugby union players, when compared to the untrained males (p=<0.001). 55.5% had retired from rugby due to injury, 46.5% had been diagnosed with OA, 18.5% with joint weakness and 12% with an overuse injury. The mean age for developing OA within ex-rugby union players (41±10 years) was notably earlier than that of untrained males (47±11 years). Prevalence of OA increased linearly with career duration (p=0.001) and the site of the disease often reflected the joint where a previous rugby union injury or trauma had occurred.  Table 1: Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders within Retired RU Players and Non-Athletic Males. • Woolf, A. D., 2007. Healthcare Services for those with Musculoskeletal conditions: A Rheumatology Service. Recommendations of the European Union of Medical Specialists Section of Rheumatology/European Board of Rheumatology. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 66 (3), 293-301.  • Kujala, M. U., Orava, S., Parkkari, J., Kapiro, J. and Sarn, S., 2003. Sports Career-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries. Sports Medicine. 33 (12), 869-875.   3 6 38 46 0 9 9 19 4 8 9 051015202530354045501-3 Years 4-6 Years 7-10 Years 10+ YearsNumber of Incidence Length of Career OA Joint Weakness Overuse InjuriesFigure 1: Career Duration and Musculoskeletal Disorders, OA (Osteoarthritis)  Musculoskeletal disorders are considered to be a pivotal indicator of quality of life. They incur substantial economic cost to the UK, with the physical incapabilities presenting major personal, and societal burdens (Woolf 2007). The long-term effects of ligament and joint damage on clinical osteoarthritis (OA)-onset are well established. Trauma reoccurrence in rugby union is common, but the associated OA risk remains inconclusive.  

The Incidence of Injuries and Epidemiology of Osteoarthritis in Retired, Amateur, Rugby Union Players

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