Return to sport after conservative treatment of elbow dislocation in judoka.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the elbow are frequent in judo combat, but studies on down-time and effect on performance after conservative treatments are rare. This issue is particularly relevant for elbow dislocations in high-performance patients such as elite athletes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) time-loss and (2) the regained level of performance in judoka after conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocation. METHODS: In cooperation with the European Judo Union, judoka were asked to complete a 139-item survey regarding elbow injuries they suffered during their career. Besides demographics, injury data, diagnosis and treatment options, the athletes were asked about down-time and reductions in performance level. This study enrolled 108 judoka with conservative treatment of elbow dislocation out of a population of 5426 volunteers. RESULTS: 69% (n=74) reported a time-loss of less than three months; 6% reported a time-loss of more than six months. The majority (68%, n=73) reported that they had returned to their previous performance level, while 22% (n=24) suffered from a slightly reduced level of performance. In the subgroup of international and national athletes (n=54), 63% returned to judo after less than three months, with 72% achieving the same level and 15% reporting a slightly reduced performance level. Level of performance and time lost after conservative treatment for elbow dislocations were comparable for male and female judoka. CONCLUSION: Approximately two out of three judoka returned to the same level of performance after three months of down-time after undergoing conservative therapy for simple elbow dislocations. Despite the high performance level of the study population, conservative treatment of simple elbow dislocation resulted in satisfactory outcomes. The presented data can guide medical professionals and competitive-level contact-sport athletes with respect to expectations in the process of returning to sport.

Epidemiology of injuries in judo: a cross-sectional survey of severe injuries based on time loss and reduction in sporting level.

BACKGROUND: Sport injury severity can be detected by duration of time loss and reduction of sporting performance. AIM: To detect injury type-specific time loss duration and sporting performance reduction in judo. METHODS: An online survey of active and former judo athletes was conducted (exclusion criterion: incomplete questionnaire). Only injuries causing more than 3 weeks' time loss were recorded. Athletes classified themselves into performance classes. Injury type-specific frequencies were recorded according to gender, age and performance level. Injury severity was assessed by time loss duration and performance reduction. RESULTS: The study included 4659 athletes (65% male, 38% competitive sports). The most commonly injured body regions were the upper extremity (41%) and the lower extremity (39%). Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures were the most severe injury type (time loss: 4% of cases 3-6 weeks, 6% 6-12 weeks, 26% 3-6 months, 32% 6-9 months, 18% 9-12 months, 14%>12 months; performance reduction: 32% same level, 39% slightly reduced, 24% strongly reduced, 5% stopped judo). The second most severe type of injury was a vertebral disc prolapse (time loss: 26% 3-6 weeks, 31% 6-12 weeks, 20% 3-6 months, 7% 6-9 months, 3% 9-12 months 13%>12 months; reduction of sporting performance: 39% same level, 34% slightly reduced, 20% strongly reduced, 8% stopped judo). CONCLUSION: Across genders and performance levels, ACL ruptures and vertebral disc prolapses were the most severe injuries with respect to time loss and sporting performance reduction.