A recent study on meniscus tears among National Basketball Association athletes shows the injury does not negatively affect player performance, according to a report in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Researchers examined a centralized database to identify meniscal injuries among NBA players over 21 seasons. There were 129 isolated meniscal tears during the 21 season time period, with 59.7 percent involving the lateral meniscus. Approximately 40.3 percent involved the medial meniscus.
The report also found:
• Injuries were most likely to occur during games.
• Players missed 43.8 days with lateral meniscus tears and 41 days with medial meniscus tears, on average.
• Lateral meniscus tears were more likely to occur in players younger than 30 years while medial meniscal tears were more likely in players older than 30.
• Athletes with greater than 25 BMI were at increased risk of meniscal tears.
• Players completed an average of four seasons after returning from the injury.
Only 19.4 percent of the players with meniscal tears did not return to play.
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The report also found:
• Injuries were most likely to occur during games.
• Players missed 43.8 days with lateral meniscus tears and 41 days with medial meniscus tears, on average.
• Lateral meniscus tears were more likely to occur in players younger than 30 years while medial meniscal tears were more likely in players older than 30.
• Athletes with greater than 25 BMI were at increased risk of meniscal tears.
• Players completed an average of four seasons after returning from the injury.
Only 19.4 percent of the players with meniscal tears did not return to play.
Related Articles on Sports Medicine:
ACL Reconstruction Technique Has Good Outcomes After 13 Year
Study: Hamstring Autograft Most Cost-Effective for ACL Reconstruction
Male Soccer Players Can Prevent Hamstring Injuries With Eccentric Hamstring Exercises