Examining prior injury relative to Achilles tendon ruptures in National Basketball Association players

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine Achilles Tendon (AT) rupture and prior injury in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Publicly available data was sourced via two online databases and filtered to identify those reported as having sustained AT rupture. A full injury history was then generated for those players. A total of 51 AT ruptures were identified. Thirty-five per cent (18) had previously missed at least one game for "Achilles tendinitis" or "Achilles tendon injury" on the side of the affected limb. A further 18% were noted to have suffered plantar fasciitis or foot inflammation (9) or previous ankle injury (9). Seven previous injuries were knee related, and five were described as calf muscle injuries. The remaining three had prior soft tissue injuries to the quadriceps, hamstring or groin. Understanding any potential association between previous small time-loss injuries and large time-loss injuries such Achilles tendon ruptures is an important step in advancing injury risk mitigation strategies in professional basketball.

Keywords: Achilles tendon ruptures; basketball; previous injury history; subsequent new injuries.