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Erickson BJ, Chalmers PN, D'Angelo J, Ma K, Fealy S, Alexander FJ, Ahmad CS. Predraft elbow magnetic resonance imaging in Major League Baseball pitchers. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2024; 33:2448-2456. [PMID: 38996866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jse.2024.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior to the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft, some pitchers undergo predraft magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study aimed to evaluate pre-draft elbow MRI on baseball pitchers who were entering the MLB draft to determine the presence or absence of pathology, the associations between these pathologies and ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears, and interobserver reliability regarding common MRI pathology. METHODS Predraft elbow MRI performed on prospective MLB pitchers between 2011 and 2017 were deidentified and then reviewed by two separate authors. The authors graded the MRI on several factors including presence or absence of: UCL ossification, UCL appearance (heterogeneous or not), UCL thickening (and location), UCL tear (partial vs. full thickness and location), muscle strain, flexor tendon tear, posteromedial osteophyte, sublime tubercle enthesophyte, and osseous stress reactions. RESULTS Overall, 245 predraft elbow MRI were reviewed. MRI abnormalities were found in 70% (171/245) of pitchers. UCL thickening was found in 20% (50/245) of pitchers. Regarding UCL tears, 3% had a full thickness tear and 24% had a partial thickness tear. Of full thickness tears, 86% were distal and 1 was midsubstance. Of partial thickness tears, 41% (24/58) were distal, 12% (7/58) were midsubstance, and 47% (27/58) were proximal. Periligamentous edema was present in 36% of pitchers while 14% had a flexor pronator muscle strain. CONCLUSION The majority (70%) of pitchers entering the MLB draft had abnormal findings on their MRI, most commonly involving changes to the UCL. Interobserver reliability was acceptable following the definition of pathology when reading predraft elbow MRI on MLB prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon J Erickson
- Department of Sports Medicine, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter N Chalmers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - John D'Angelo
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kevin Ma
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen Fealy
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frank J Alexander
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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Chauhan A, Chalmers PN, Erickson BJ, Thompson R, Pearl GJ, Romeo AA, Hoenecke HR, Ma K, Tenner Z, Fronek J. Performance and Return to Play After Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Professional Baseball Players: A Matched Cohort Analysis. Am J Sports Med 2024; 52:1692-1699. [PMID: 38702964 DOI: 10.1177/03635465241243244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) remains a rare diagnosis but is being recognized as a cause of upper extremity dysfunction in professional baseball players. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS The purpose was to determine performance and return-to-play (RTP) outcomes in professional baseball players after surgical treatment of TOS. The hypothesis was that there would be a high RTP rate in professional baseball players after TOS surgery with no statistical differences in performance between pitchers who had TOS surgery and matched controls. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS All professional baseball players who underwent surgical treatment of TOS between 2010 and 2017 were identified using the Major League Baseball Health and Injury Tracking System database. Demographic and performance data (before and after surgery) for each player were recorded. Performance variables were then compared between players who underwent TOS surgery and matched controls. The matching criteria were no history of previous surgeries on affected arm, age at time of surgery, throwing side, level of play (Major or Minor League Baseball), and years of experience playing professional baseball. RESULTS Overall, 52 players underwent surgery for TOS, of whom 46 (88%) were pitchers. The type of TOS was neurogenic in 69% and venous in 29%. One player had arterial TOS. After TOS surgery, 79% of players returned to play at the same or higher level (RTSP) by 9.5 months and played ≥3 years after surgery. No differences were found in RTSP rate based on the type of TOS. No statistical difference was found in RTP rates between major and minor league players. Pitchers had a 76% RTSP, which was similar to the natural attrition for control pitchers (P = .874). After TOS surgery, pitchers saw a decline in several performance metrics, but these declines were not different from those of control pitchers, indicating that the decline in performance after TOS surgery was no faster than is seen in healthy professional pitchers as they age. CONCLUSION The rate of RTSP after surgery for TOS in professional baseball players was 79%. There was no difference in RTP based on the type of TOS. Pitchers who underwent surgery for TOS had no significant differences in pitching performance metrics after surgery compared with matched controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakash Chauhan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Colorado Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente, Lafayette, Colorado, USA
| | - Peter N Chalmers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Brandon J Erickson
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert Thompson
- Department of Surgery, Section of Vascular Surgery, Center for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Gregory J Pearl
- Division of Vascular Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, and Baylor Scott & White Heart and Vascular Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Heinz R Hoenecke
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kevin Ma
- Major League Baseball, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Jan Fronek
- Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California, USA
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Tramer JS, Castle JP, Gaudiani MA, Lizzio VA, McGee A, Freehill MT, Lynch TS. Upper-Extremity Injuries Have the Poorest Return to Play and Most Time Lost in Professional Baseball: A Systematic Review of Injuries in Major League Baseball. Arthroscopy 2022:S0749-8063(22)00863-5. [PMID: 36587750 DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2022.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To summarize the incidence of injuries occurring in professional baseball and compare player outcomes reported in the literature. METHODS We conducted a systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines across 3 databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase). Inclusion criteria were studies of injury incidences and/or injury outcomes on active Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes and studies published in the English language. Exclusion criteria were non-MLB players, case series and case report studies with a cohort of ≤3 players, and/or review articles. RESULTS A total of 477 articles were identified from the initial search of 3 databases, with 105 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Among these articles, the most common injuries studied were elbow (38%), shoulder (14%), hip/groin (11%), hand/wrist (7%), head/face (7%), knee (7%), spine (5%), and foot/ankle (3%). Injuries with the greatest incidence included hand/wrist (150.3 per year), hamstring (7.8-73.5 per year), ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears (0.23-26.8 per year), gastrocnemius strains (24.2 per year), and concussions (3.6-20.5 per year). Lowest rates of return to play were seen following shoulder labral tears (40%-72.5%), rotator cuff tears (33.3%-87%), and UCL tears (51%-87.9%). The injuries leading to most time away from sport included elbow UCL tears (average 90.3 days treated nonoperatively to 622.8 days following revision reconstruction), shoulder labral tears (average 315-492 days), and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears (average 156.2-417.5 days). Following ACL tears, rotator cuff tears, shoulder labral tears, and hip femoroacetabular impingement requiring arthroscopy, athletes had a significantly lower workloads compared with before injury upon return to play. CONCLUSIONS Most published investigations focus on elbow injuries of the UCL, with variable return to play and mixed performance following surgery. UCL tears, shoulder labral tears, and ACL tears result in the most missed time. Upper-extremity injury such as shoulder labral tears, rotator cuff tears, and UCL tears had the poorest return to play rates. Workload was most affected following ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, shoulder labral repair, and hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV, systematic review of level II-IV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph S Tramer
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, Redwood City, California.
| | - Joshua P Castle
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Michael A Gaudiani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Vincent A Lizzio
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Anna McGee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
| | - Michael T Freehill
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University, Redwood City, California
| | - T Sean Lynch
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A
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LaPrade CM, Cinque ME, Safran MR, Freehill MT, Wulf CA, LaPrade RF. Using Advanced Data to Analyze the Impact of Injury on Performance of Major League Baseball Pitchers: A Narrative Review. Orthop J Sports Med 2022; 10:23259671221111169. [PMID: 35898207 PMCID: PMC9310227 DOI: 10.1177/23259671221111169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Major league baseball (MLB) pitchers are at risk of numerous injuries during
play, and there is an increasing focus on evaluating their performance in the
context of injury. Historically, performance after return to play (RTP) from
injury has focused on general descriptive statistics, such as innings or games
played, or rate statistics with inherent variability (eg, earned run average,
walks and hits per inning pitched, strikeouts per 9 innings, or walks per 9
innings). However, in recent years, MLB has incorporated advanced technology and
tracking systems in every stadium, allowing for more in-depth analysis of
pitcher-specific data that are captured with every pitch of every game. This
technology allows for the ability to delve into the pitching performance on a
basis that is more specific to each pitcher and allows for more in-depth
analysis of different aspects of pitching performance. The purpose of this
narrative review was to illustrate the current state of injury recording for
professional baseball pitchers, highlight recent technological advances in MLB,
and describe the advanced data available for analysis. We used advanced data in
the literature to review the current state of performance analysis after RTP in
MLB pitchers after injury. Finally, we strived to provide a framework for future
studies to more meticulously assess RTP performance given the current available
resources for analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M LaPrade
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Sports Medicine, Stanford University, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Mark E Cinque
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Sports Medicine, Stanford University, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Marc R Safran
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Sports Medicine, Stanford University, Redwood City, California, USA
| | - Michael T Freehill
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Department of Sports Medicine, Stanford University, Redwood City, California, USA
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Chalmers PN, Mcelheny K, D'Angelo J, Rowe D, Ma K, Curriero FC, Kvit A, Erickson BJ. Effect of Weather and Game Factors on Injury Rates in Professional Baseball Players. Am J Sports Med 2022; 50:1130-1136. [PMID: 35060763 DOI: 10.1177/03635465211070287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injury rates in baseball players of all ages are increasing. Identifying modifiable risk factors is paramount to implementing injury prevention programs. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS The purpose was to evaluate the influence of weather (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and heat index) and game factors (start time, duration, single vs doubleheader) on injury rates in professional baseball players. We hypothesized that colder temperatures would be associated with significantly more injuries per game. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS This was a retrospective database study. Two data sets were combined: 1 containing all injuries in Major and Minor League Baseball between 2011 and 2017 and 1 containing all games played in Major and Minor League Baseball during the same period to determine the number of injuries per game. Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and heat index were determined for each game using the data from the US Environmental Protection Agency. Additional game variables included the level of play, the turf type (natural vs artificial grass), the stadium type (open vs dome vs retractable), the game start time, the game duration, and whether the game was a doubleheader. Then, a multivariate analysis was conducted to determine which factors were associated with the number of injuries per game. RESULTS In total, our analysis included 33,587 injuries and 76,747 games. A total of 25,776 (33.6%) games contained an injury, and 41% of injuries occurred as multiples per game, with up to 9 injuries per game. The multivariate analysis identified significant associations between game duration and injuries per game (P < .001; effect size, 0.013) and the level of play and injuries per game (P < .001; effect size, 0.011). There were significant associations between the venue type (P < .001), the game start time (P < .001), humidity (P < .001), the turf type (P = .016), and barometric pressure (P = .031); however, the effect size for each was <0.001, suggesting that these factors are clinically unimportant. Our overall model produced an R2 of 0.04, indicating that these variables only predicted 4% of the variance in injury risk. CONCLUSION In professional baseball, the weather is not associated with injury risk; however, game duration may contribute to injury risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Chalmers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | | | - John D'Angelo
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dana Rowe
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kevin Ma
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | | | - Anton Kvit
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Erickson BJ, Chalmers PN, D'Angelo J, Ma K, Rowe D, Ahmad CS. Do Injury Rates in Position Players Who Convert to Pitchers in Professional Baseball Differ From Players Who Have Always Been Pitchers? Orthop J Sports Med 2021; 9:23259671211050963. [PMID: 34722787 PMCID: PMC8549473 DOI: 10.1177/23259671211050963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There are some professional baseball players who begin their career as a position player and later convert to a pitcher; injury rates in these players are unknown. Purpose: To compare injury rates of professional baseball players who started their career as position players and converted to pitchers with a control group of pitchers who have been only pitchers throughout their professional career. Hypothesis: Injury rates would be lower in the conversion players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All players who began their professional baseball career as position players and converted to pitchers between 2011 and 2018 were included. All injuries that occurred after they converted to pitchers were included. The conversion players were matched 1 to 1 with a control group of pitchers who entered professional baseball as pitchers and never changed position. Injury rates were compared between groups. The performance between groups was also compared. Results: Overall, 221 players were identified who converted from position players to pitchers. There were significantly more injuries per year in the control pitcher group (0.8 ± 0.9) than in the conversion pitcher group (0.7 ± 0.9; P = .015). Injuries in the control group resulted in 61 ± 112 days missed per injury, while injuries in the conversion player group resulted in 54 ± 102 days missed per injury (P = .894). Injury characteristics differed between groups. However, in both groups, most of the injuries were related to pitching or throwing, were noncontact or gradual overuse injuries, and involved the upper extremity. Converted pitchers had lower pitcher usage, with fewer games and innings pitched (P < .001), with significantly worse statistics for walks plus hits per inning pitched (P = .018). Conclusion: Professional baseball players who convert from position players to pitchers are injured at lower rates than control pitchers. Conversion pitchers have lower pitcher usage, which may contribute to their reduced injury rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter N Chalmers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - John D'Angelo
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kevin Ma
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dana Rowe
- Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office, New York, New York, USA
| | - Christopher S Ahmad
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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McBride AP, Brais G, Wood T, Ek ET, Hoy G. Stress reactions and fractures around the elbow in athletes. J Sci Med Sport 2020; 24:425-429. [PMID: 33223454 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Stress fractures of the upper limb affect athletes from a wide range of sports. Athletes involved in throwing sports are particularly susceptible along with athletes from sports involving high repetitive and compressive loads such as gymnastics. Diagnosis can be made from clinical history, examination and radiography in some cases however MRI imaging is often required for definitive diagnosis. The mainstay of management is rest and activity modification however advanced pathology often requires surgical management for successful resolution and return to play. In the elbow, the bones susceptible to excessive stress in sport are the distal humerus, the olecranon process of the ulna, the coronoid process of the ulna, the sublime tubercle and the radial head. In immature patients, medial epicondyle apophysis is the most common location. The article presents a narrative review of the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tim Wood
- Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, Australia
| | | | - Greg Hoy
- Melbourne Orthopaedic Group, Australia
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