Subsequent Injuries and Early Recurrent Diagnoses in elite Rugby Union Players

Abstract An eight-season (2005/06–2012/13) prospective cohort design was used to record time-loss injuries in 15 English Premiership teams. Data pertaining to a total of 1 556 players and 9 597 injuries (8 180 subsequent) were included in the analysis. Injuries subsequent to an index injury were classified as (1) New: different site; (2) Local: same site (and different type); or (3) Recurrent: same site and type. The severity of subsequent injuries (days missed) was compared with their related index injury. The proportions of early (12 months) subsequent injuries were compared across injury classifications and diagnosis groupings. The majority of subsequent injuries (70%) were classified as new injuries, with 14% local and 16% recurrent. A large proportion of recurrent subsequent injuries (42%) occurred within two months of return-to-play. Subsequent injuries were not more severe than their corresponding index injury (effect sizes