Brendin R. Beaulieu-Jones

Epidemiology and Outcomes of Lisfranc Injuries Identified at the National Football League Scouting Combine

Background: Lisfranc injuries are challenging to treat and may have a detrimental effect on athletic performance. Purpose: (1) Determine the epidemiological characteristics of Lisfranc injuries at the annual National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine, (2) define player positions at risk for these injuries, and (3) evaluate the impact that these injuries and radiographic findings have on NFL draft position and performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All players who sustained a Lisfranc injury prior to Combine evaluation between 2009 and 2015 were evaluated. The epidemiological characteristics, player positions affected, treatment methods, and number of missed collegiate games were recorded. Radiographic outcomes were analyzed via Combine radiograph findings, while NFL performance outcomes were assessed for all Lisfranc injuries (2009-2013) compared with matched controls in the first 2 years of play. Results: A total of 41 of 2162 (1.8%) Combine participants were identified with Lisfranc injuries, of whom 26 of 41 (63.4%) were managed operatively. Players who underwent surgery were more likely to go undrafted compared with players managed nonoperatively (38.5% vs 13.3%, operative vs nonoperative management, respectively; P = .04) and featured a worse NFL draft pick position (155.6 vs 109; P = .03). Lisfranc-injured players when compared with controls were noted to have worse outcomes in terms of NFL draft position (142 vs 111.3, Lisfranc-injured players vs controls, respectively; P = .04), NFL career length 2 years or longer (62.5% vs 69.6%; P = .23), and number of games played (16.9 vs 23.3; P = .001) and started (6.8 vs 10.5; P = .08) within the first 2 years of their NFL career. Radiographs demonstrated that 17 of 41 (41.5%) athletes had residual Lisfranc joint displacement greater than 2 mm compared with the contralateral foot. Lisfranc-injured athletes with greater than 2 mm residual displacement, when compared with matched controls, had worse draft position (156.9 vs 111.2 for Lisfranc-injured players vs controls, respectively; P = .009) and fewer games played (14.4 vs 23.3; P = .001) and started (3.1 vs 10.5; P = .03). Moreover, athletes with greater than 2 mm residual displacement featured worse outcomes across all assessed NFL variables versus athletes with residual displacement of 2 mm or less. Conclusion: Lisfranc injuries identified at the NFL Combine have an adverse effect on an NFL athlete’s draft status, draft position, and overall play during initial NFL seasons. In particular, residual displacement of the Lisfranc joint has a detrimental effect on the first 2 seasons of NFL play and may lead to long-lasting negative effects on the athlete’s career.

Epidemiology of Navicular Injury at the NFL Combine and Their Impact on an Athlete’s Prospective NFL Career

Background: Navicular injuries can result in persistent pain, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and diminished performance and function. Purpose: To determine the epidemiology of navicular fracture in players participating in the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine and evaluate the impact of a navicular injury on the NFL draft position and NFL game play compared with matched controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Data were collected on players who previously sustained a navicular injury and participated in the NFL Combine between 2009 and 2015. The epidemiology of navicular injury was determined through an evaluation of the number of injuries, surgeries, and collegiate games missed as well as the position played, a physical examination, the surgical technique, and imaging findings. Players with a previous navicular injury (2009-2013) were compared with a set of matched controls. NFL performance outcomes included the draft position, career length ≥2 years, and number of games played and started within the first 2 years. Results: Between 2009 and 2015, 14 of 2285 (0.6%) players were identified as having sustained a navicular injury. A total of 11 of 14 (79%) athletes had sustained an overt navicular fracture, while 3 of 14 (21%) were diagnosed with stress reactions on magnetic resonance imaging. Eight patients who sustained a navicular fracture underwent surgery. There was evidence of ipsilateral talonavicular arthritis in 75% of players with a navicular fracture versus only 60% in the uninjured foot (odds ratio, 1.3; P = .04). Fifty-seven percent of players with navicular injury (72.7% of fractures) were undrafted versus 30.9% in the control group (P = .001). Overall, 28.6% of players with navicular fracture played ≥2 years in the NFL compared with 69.6% in the control group (P = .02). Conclusion: A previous navicular fracture results in a greater risk of developing posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Although only a low prevalence of navicular injury in prospective NFL players was noted, players with these injuries had a greater probability of not being drafted and not competing in at least 2 NFL seasons when compared with matched controls without an injury history to the NFL Combine.

Epidemiology of Injuries Identified at the NFL Scouting Combine and Their Impact on Performance in the National Football League: Evaluation of 2203 Athletes From 2009 to 2015:

Background: At the annual National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine, the medical staff of each NFL franchise performs a comprehensive medical evaluation of all athletes potentially entering the NFL. Currently, little is known regarding the overall epidemiology of injuries identified at the combine and their impact on NFL performance. Purpose: To determine the epidemiology of injuries identified at the combine and their impact on initial NFL performance. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All previous musculoskeletal injuries identified at the NFL Combine from 2009 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Medical records and imaging reports were examined. Game statistics for the first 2 seasons of NFL play were obtained for all players from 2009 to 2013. Analysis of injury prevalence and overall impact on the draft status and position-specific performance metrics of each injury was performed and compared with a position-matched control group with no history of injury or surgery. Results: A total of 2203 athletes over 7 years were evaluated, including 1490 (67.6%) drafted athletes and 1040 (47.2%) who ultimately played at least 2 years in the NFL. The most common sites of injury were the ankle (1160, 52.7%), shoulder (1143, 51.9%), knee (1128, 51.2%), spine (785, 35.6%), and hand (739, 33.5%). Odds ratios (ORs) demonstrated that quarterbacks were most at risk of shoulder injury (OR, 2.78; P = .001), while running backs most commonly sustained ankle (OR, 1.39; P = .040) and shoulder injuries (OR, 1.55; P = .020) when compared with all other players. Ultimately, defensive players demonstrated a greater negative impact due to injury than offensive players, with multiple performance metrics significantly affected for each defensive position analyzed, whereas skilled offensive players (eg, quarterbacks, running backs) demonstrated only 1 metric significantly affected at each position. Conclusion: The most common sites of injury identified at the combine were (1) ankle, (2) shoulder, (3) knee, (4) spine, and (5) hand. Overall, performance in the NFL tended to worsen with injury history, with a direct correlation found between injury at a certain anatomic location and position of play. Defensive players tended to perform worse compared with offensive players if injury history was present.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries of the Knee at the National Football League Combine: An Imaging and Epidemiology Study

PURPOSE To determine the epidemiology by player position, examination, imaging findings, and associated injuries of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries in players participating in the National Football League (NFL) Combine. METHODS All PCL injuries identified at the NFL Combine (2009-2015) were reviewed. Data were obtained from the database organized by the NFL medical personnel for the compilation of the medical and physical performance examination results of NFL Draftees participating in the NFL Combine from 2009 to 2015. Inclusion criteria were any player with clinical findings or a previous surgery consistent with a PCL injury who participated in the NFL Combine. RESULTS Of the 2,285 players who participated in the NFL Combine between 2009 and 2015, 69 (3%) had evidence of a PCL injury, of which 11 players (15.9%) were managed surgically. On physical examination, 35 players (52%) had a grade II or III posterior drawer. Concomitant injuries were present frequently and included medial collateral ligament (MCL; 42%), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL; 11.6%), and chondral injuries (31.8%), especially in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment. CONCLUSIONS Three percent of the players at the NFL Combine presented with a PCL injury, with a significant amount being either running backs (14/69, 20.2%) or offensive linemen (14/69, 20.2%). Approximately half of the players with a PCL tear had a residual grade II or III posterior drawer after sustaining a PCL injury. Concomitant injuries were present frequently and included MCL (42%), ACL (11.6%), and chondral injuries (31.8%), especially in the lateral tibiofemoral compartment. For those players with clinical concern for PCL ligamentous laxity, there should be a complete comprehensive workup that includes plain and PCL stress view radiographs, and magnetic resonance imaging. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV, case series.

Jones Fractures Identified at the National Football League Scouting Combine: Assessment of Prognostic Factors, Computed Tomography Findings, and Initial Career Performance

Background: Jones fractures result in subsequent dysfunction and remain an issue for athletes. Purpose: To (1) describe the epidemiology, treatment, and impact of Jones fractures identified at the National Football League (NFL) Scouting Combine on players’ early careers and (2) establish the value of computed tomography (CT) to determine bony healing after a fracture in prospective players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All players who attended the combine between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively reviewed to identify their history of Jones fractures. The playing position, treatment method, and number of missed collegiate games were recorded. The mean overall draft pick number, number of games started and played, snap percentage, and position-specific performance scores (fantasy score) over the first 2 years in the NFL were compared between players with fractures and controls. An imaging classification system was applied based on grading of each quadrant of the fifth metatarsal (plantar, dorsal, medial, lateral), with a score of 0 for not healed or 1 for healed. Results: Overall, the number of Jones fractures identified was 72 in 2285 athletes (3.2%), with all treated via intramedullary screw fixation. The mean overall draft pick number for players with fractures was 111.2 ± 67.9 compared with 99.0 ± 65.9 for controls (P = .12). Performance scores for players with fractures were lower than those for controls across all positions, with a significant difference in running backs (2.6 vs 4.0, respectively; P < .001) and defensive linemen (1.4 vs 2.3, respectively; P = .02). The mean CT score was 2.5 ± 1.3. Of the 32 athletes who underwent imaging, 16 Jones fractures (50.0%) were healed or nearly healed, 12 (37.5%) were partially healed, and 4 (12.5%) showed little or no healing. The plantar cortex demonstrated the least healing (18/32; 56.3%), followed by the lateral cortex (15/32; 46.9%). Players with a mean score <1 were found to have fewer games started (2.7 ± 2.5) than those with 1 to 3 cortices healed (17.4 ± 10.4) or all cortices healed (8.7 ± 11.2). Conclusion: Based on CT, 50% of all players with a previous Jones fracture demonstrated incomplete healing. Moreover, position-specific performance scores over the first 2 years of a player’s career were lower across all positions for those with fractures compared with controls. Players with CT scores <1 were found to start fewer games and were drafted later than controls.

Sexual and gender minority health in medical curricula in new England: a pilot study of medical student comfort, competence and perception of curricula

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience high rates of harassment and discrimination when seeking healthcare, which contributes to substantial healthcare disparities. Improving physician training about gender identity, sexual orientation, and the healthcare needs of SGM patients has been identified as a critical strategy for mitigating these disparities. In 2014, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) published medical education competencies to guide undergraduate medical education on SGM topics. Objective: Conduct pilot study to investigate medical student comfort and competence about SGM health competencies outlined by the AAMC and evaluate curricular coverage of SGM topics. Design: Six-hundred and fifty-eight students at New England allopathic medical schools (response rate 21.2%) completed an anonymous, online survey evaluating self-reported comfort and competence regarding SGM health competencies, and coverage of SGM health in the medical curriculum. Results: 92.7% of students felt somewhat or very comfortable treating sexual minorities; 68.4% felt comfortable treating gender minorities. Most respondents felt not competent or somewhat not competent with medical treatment of gender minority patients (76.7%) and patients with a difference of sex development (81%). At seven schools, more than 50% of students indicated that the curriculum neither adequately covers SGM-specific topics nor adequately prepares students to serve SGM patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of self-reported comfort is greater than that of self-reported competence serving SGM patients in a convenience sample of New England allopathic medical students. The majority of participants reported insufficient curricular preparation to achieve the competencies necessary to care for SGM patients. This multi-institution pilot study provides preliminary evidence that further curriculum development may be needed to enable medical students to achieve core competencies in SGM health, as defined by AAMC. Further mixed methods research is necessary to substantiate and expand upon the findings of this pilot study. This pilot study also demonstrates the importance of creating specific evaluation tools to assess medical student achievement of competencies established by the AAMC.

The Epidemiology of Navicular Injuries at the NFL Combine

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Navicular injuries are documented to have the potential for significant impairment of foot function. Regardless of treatment choice, these injuries can result in persistent pain, advanced osteoarthritis, and chronic dysfunction. A clearer understanding of their prevalence in collegiate athletes as well as their impact on their NFL career would help team physicians better counsel players and their teams, and perhaps also aid in defining optimal treatment. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the epidemiology of navicular fractures in players participating in the NFL combine, 2) define positions that might be at higher risk for sustaining this injury, and 3) evaluate the impact of navicular injuries on NFL draft position and NFL game play compared to matched controls. Methods: Data was collected from the NFL combine website on all participating players who had sustained a navicular injury before entering the NFL between 2009 and 2015. Medical records, imaging, and treatments were reviewed on all individuals who met these criteria. The epidemiology of navicular injuries was determined by evaluating the number of injuries, surgeries, games missed, position played and draft position of each player. Available exam and imaging findings were reviewed for each player. Players from 2009 to 2013 with a navicular injury were compared to matched controls. Control groups consisted of players who missed less than 2 games in college, played the same position, and did not have a previous surgery. NFL performance outcomes were evaluated through analysis of draft position, career length ≥2 years, and number of games played and games started within their first 2 years. All NFL performance data was obtained from STATS.com. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression to assess the risk of sustaining a navicular injury by position. Two-sample, two-tailed T-tests were computed to assess games missed in college and draft position in players with a navicular injury and NFL career consisting of games played, and started in the NFL in the first 2 years of their career versus control players. Results: A total of 2285 foot players participated in the NFL combine between 2009 – 2015. There were 15 navicular injuries (14 players) with an incidence of 0.6% of NFL football players participating in the combine during this time frame. Defensive backs had a statistically significant increased odds ratio (Odds ratio = 3.0, p=0.03) of sustaining a navicular injury, however only 3 defensive backs had a navicular injury. Three players had nonunions or a refracture and 2 players required a revision surgery. Fifty-seven percent of players with navicular injuries (72.7% of fractures) were undrafted versus 30.9% in the control group (P< 0.001). Twenty-nine percent of players with navicular fractures played 2 years in the NFL compared to 69.6% in the control group (P< 0.01). Conclusion: While only a small percentage of players at the NFL combine had a navicular injury, there was a significant increase in percentage of players undrafted and a decreased percent of players who played two years in the NFL when compared to controls. This demonstrates the detrimental effect this injury may have to a player’s career.

The Epidemiology of Lisfranc Injuries at the NFL Combine

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: Lisfranc injuries can have detrimental consequences to an athlete’s career. If left inadequately treated, these injuries can result in persistent pain and lead to advanced osteoarthritis. Understanding the prevalence of these injuries in collegiate athletes and their effect on NFL draft position can help team physicians counsel future players and determine optimal treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the epidemiology of Lisfranc injuries in players participating in the NFL combine and to determine the positions that are at higher risk for sustaining these injuries. Methods: Data was collected from the NFL combine website on all players who participated in the combine and had sustained a Lisfranc injury before entering the NFL from 2009 to 2015. Medical records, imaging, and treatments were reviewed on players who were identified with these injuries. The epidemiology of Lisfranc injuries was determined by evaluating the number of injuries, surgeries, games missed, position played and draft position of each player. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression to assess the risk of sustaining each injury by position. Two-sample, two-tailed T-tests were computed to assess games missed and draft position in players with operative versus non-operative management. Players with a Lisfranc injury as well a second primary midfoot injury (n=3) were excluded from analysis. Results: Thirty-nine(1.7%) players at the NFL combine had an isolated Lisfranc injury during their collegiate football career. Of these players, 27(69.2%) required surgical intervention. The average number of collegiate football games missed for this injury was 3.0±5.0. The average number of games missed for players requiring operative fixation was statistically greater(4.2±5.7) than those in the non-operative group (0.3 ±0.9, p=0.02). The average NFL draft position was 141.7±69.4, and 13(33.3%) went undrafted. There was no statistical difference in the average draft position(p=0.84) and number of undrafted players(p=0.15) between the operative and non-operative groups. No position was found to be at increased risk for Lisfranc injury; however, as a whole, offensive players had a significantly increased risk(Odds ratio=2.7, p = 0.01) of having a Lisfranc injury when compared to all other players. Overall, 24(61.5%) of the players with a Lisfranc injury played on offense. Conclusion: The majority of players who reported a Lisfranc injury required operative intervention, and offensive players were at a higher risk for this injury. Lisfranc requiring operative management did not significantly change a player’s draft position or chance of being drafted.