Mehran, Nima

Background: The extent to which concussions affect Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) athletes has not been thoroughly examined. Purpose: To evaluate the incidence and impact of concussion injuries occurring in the WNBA. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Publicly available records were searched to identify all documented basketball-related concussions from WNBA seasons 1997 to 2020. Player demographics, injury details, and basketball career information were collected. Concussion incidence and return-to-play (RTP) timing were evaluated before and after the institution of the WNBA concussion protocol in 2012. Minutes per game and game score per minute were compared 5 games before and 5 games after the concussion was sustained. Player game availability and RTP performance were also compared with an age-, body mass index–, position-, and experience-matched control group of players who did not sustain any injuries during the index season. Results: A total of 70 concussions among 55 players were reported in the WNBA from 1997 to 2020, with a mean incidence of 2.9 ± 2.3 concussions per season. After the implementation of the WNBA concussion protocol, the incidence significantly increased from 1.7 to 5.0 concussions per season ( P < .001). All players returned after a first-time concussion, missing a mean of 3.8 ± 4.7 games and 17.9 ± 20.7 days. After the adoption of the concussion protocol, the time to RTP significantly increased with games missed ( P = .006) and days missed ( P = .006). Minutes per game and game score per minute were not significantly affected by sustaining a concussion ( P = .451 and P = .826, respectively). Conclusion: Since the adoption of the WNBA concussion protocol in the 2012 season, the incidence of concussions increased significantly. Athletes retained a high rate of RTP after missing a median of 4 games, and the time to RTP increased after the institution of the concussion protocol. Player game availability and performance within the same season were not significantly affected by concussion injuries after a successful RTP.

Purpose To assess the effects of surgical treatment of athletic pubalgia (AP) on game use and performance metrics in National Basketball Association (NBA) players. Methods A retrospective review of all NBA players who underwent surgical management for AP from 1996 to 2018 was performed. A matched control group was created for comparison. The index period was defined as the entire NBA season in which surgery occurred, including the corresponding offseason. Player demographics, use (games played, games started, and minutes per game) and performance (player efficiency rating) metrics were collected for all players. Statistical analysis was performed to compare data before and after return to play. Results Thirty players with a history of surgical management for AP were included in the final analysis. Following surgery for AP, NBA players were found to have a return to play (RTP) rate of 90.91% (30/33). The average RTP following surgery was 4.73 ± 2.62 months. Compared with control athletes, athletes in the AP group played significantly fewer seasons postinjury (4.17 ± 2.70 vs 5.49 ± 3.04 seasons, respectively; P = .02). During the first year following RTP, NBA players experienced significant reductions in game use and performance, both when compared with the year prior and matched control athletes ( P < .05). At 3‐year follow‐up, players continued to demonstrate significant reductions in game use (minutes per game, P < .05) but not performance. Conclusions Following surgical treatment of AP, NBA players demonstrated a high RTP rate, but shortened career. A short‐term reduction in game use and performance metrics was found the year of return following surgery. However, 3‐year follow‐up performance metrics normalized when compared with healthy controls. Study Design Level III; retrospective case‐control study.