Traumatismes de l'épaule chez les joueurs français de rugby de haut niveau

Aim of the study

Specify the frequency and the type of injuries of the shoulder arising during the practice of professional rugby in France. Outcomes were studied according to the treatments performed.

Materials and methods

It is a matter of a retrospective study on 154 players of high level. Any shoulder injury endured during the practice of rugby was registered. The age of the player, his experience, his position on the field, the type of injury, the game phase, the treatment and eventual residual disability were specified.

Results

Ninety-eight players (64%) reported at least one injury of the shoulder. Thirty (19%) reported at least two injuries on the same shoulder. The acromio-clavicular joint injuries were the most frequent (49%). The treatment was medical in most of the cases. A rest of 17 days in average was noted. All the players came back to their better level. Instability of the gleno-humeral joint was retrieved by 15% of the players. A secondary treatment by surgical stabilization was noted in more than half of the cases. The rest was in average of one week after the injury. It was in average of 4 months after surgery. A significant persistent discomfort was retrieved by 43% of the non operated cases and by 27% of the operated cases.Different other injuries were noted: 17 clavicular fractures, 6 sterno-clavicular sprains, 5 rotator cuff injuries and 4 muscular contusions.

Discussion

Injuries of the shoulder are frequent among high level rugby players and represent an important source of morbidity. Injuries of the acromio-clavicular joint are the most frequent. The medical treatment allows a quick return to sport without level loss in mostly cases. Gleno-humeral instability represents the second traumatism in terms of frequency. A secondary treatment by surgical stabilization is preferable.