Common rugby injuries

Escrito por: Mr Jamie Arbuthnot
Publicado:
Editado por: Cameron Gibson-Watt

Rugby is a highly physical and demanding team sport where injuries are almost certain to occur. When a player does get injured, it’s very important that they find appropriate professional help to minimise any long term damage from the injury that could affect their ability to play in the future. Mr. Jamie Arbuthnot is a highly-experience consultant orthopaedic surgeon and treats leading rugby players at his specialist practice in Birmingham. He tells us what the most common injuries are and how they might be treated.
 

Photo of rugby scum

 

Where do most injuries occur?

In amateur rugby, injuries normally happen at a rate of 47 per 1000 player hours. This works out at around two injuries per game. The average injury rates are reported to be around three times higher than football.
The commonest site of injury is the knee, followed by the thigh, ankle, shoulder, back and neck. Most injuries arise during the tackle with the tackler being more at risk. Usually, the forwards are at a higher risk of injury than the backs.

Sprained ankles, dislocations and fractures are also common injuries that occur during the game.
 

How are rugby injuries treated?

Most of the knee injuries are ligament strains. This is a type of soft tissue injury in which partial tears occur in the muscle fibre. These can often be treated effectively by physiotherapy after quick and accurate diagnosis.

It’s not uncommon to experience pain for some weeks, or even months following this kind of injury. Sometimes, the ligament is more comprehensively damaged and this requires bracing or occasionally, surgery. If the ligament isn’t able to heal, it may need to be reconstructed.

At the clinic, I carry out many anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions. Anterior cruciate ligament damage is a very common injury. This ligament is an important structure in the centre of the knee which keeps the knee stable, predominantly when twisting or changing direction. It is often damaged when a player turns suddenly and catches their studs in the grass. It can also be injured during contact situations such as tackles.

Rugby player with rugby ball

 

When can players return to sport following an injury?

This is the most important issues that affects a player: when and whether they can return to sport.

Following this type of injury, the player should have a speedy and accurate diagnosis. If necessary, prompt surgery might be carried out. A delay in either can result in an increased risk of the player either not returning to play soon, or not returning to play at all.

A physiotherapist will evaluate when it’s the right time to return to training. There are certain rehabilitation goals to achieve before returning to play.

Mr. Jamie Arbuthnot practices in the West Midlands as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and knee sports injury specialist. To book an appointment with him, visit his profile here.

Mr Jamie Arbuthnot

Por Mr Jamie Arbuthnot
Traumatología

El Sr. Jamie Arbuthnot es un cirujano ortopédico consultor con gran experiencia y especialista en cirugía de miembros inferiores. Con base en los hospitales Spire Parkway y Spire Little Aston, Arbuthnot brinda atención y atención de expertos a pacientes afectados por lesiones deportivas, lesiones de cartílago y artritis temprana. El Sr. Arbuthnot trata a los pacientes a partir de los 6 años y realiza un alto volumen de reemplazo de rodilla y procedimientos artroscópicos (orificios de llaves) cada año.

Después de la formación médica en la Universidad de Liverpool y una rotación quirúrgica junior en Liverpool, Arbuthnot completó una beca de cirugía de rodilla en Cheshire. Fue nombrado Consultor en Cirugía Ortopédica y Trauma en el Heart of England NHS Trust en 2008 y mantiene una práctica ocupada y activa del NHS como especialista en rodillas. Desde entonces, ha completado otras tres becas en cirugía de rodilla en el Reino Unido y Australia. Además de la práctica clínica, ha realizado numerosos compromisos de enseñanza y formación.


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