NCAA athletes who had a lower extremity surgery before college were at a higher risk of undergoing orthopedic and knee surgery in the same extremity during college, especially those involved in overhead sports, according to research presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's meeting in Orlando, as reported by Healio.
Here are six things to know, according to the report:
1. The findings demonstrate rehabilitation may be inadequate or that the athletes did not fully return to function after surgery.
2. Over 1,000 NCAA Division I athletes involved in 12 different sports were identified, of which, 262 underwent orthopedic surgeries.
3. Lower extremity surgery before college and type of sport were independent predictors for shoulder and knee surgery.
4. The strongest indicators for orthopedic surgery were participation in gymnastics, basketball and volleyball.
5. The strongest indicators for shoulder surgery were volleyball, gymnastics and baseball/softball.
6. The strongest indicators of knee surgery were basketball, football and volleyball.