10 Most Common Injuries Experienced in Rugby

10 Most Common Injuries Experienced in Rugby

Rugby requires the stamina and running of soccer together with the tackling and physicality of American football. There is a chance for overuse problems like tendinitis and bursitis when jogging. Traumatic injuries suffered by collisions with other players and/or the ground during scrumming, rucking, and tackling, however, are more frequent. In this article we will look at the 10 Most Common Injuries in Rugby.

1. Sprains and Strains

Sprain. Photo by Erwans Socks on Unsplash

Musculoskeletal injuries are quite common in rugby because of the game’s features, which usually include high-impact body contact through many physical collisions and tackles. Regardless of the injury criterion employed, rugby union (RU) has one of the highest documented occurrences of match injuries among professional sports. This is probably attributable in part to the injury surveillance research being more established and widely used than in other contact sports. Our understanding is somewhat constrained since Rugby League (RL) does not yet have a comparable degree of injury surveillance studies.

In both RU and RL, tackles are where most injuries happen. The causes of rucks, mauls, scrums, as well as tripping, twisting, slipping, falling, overexertion, and overuse, are among the many more that have been identified. According to Williams et al.’s meta-analysis, men’s professional RU had an injury rate of 81/1000 in games (around three injuries every game) and 3/1000 in training.

2. Concussions

Concussions. Photo by Ben Hershey on Unsplash

A concussion may occur as a direct result of a blow to the head or as a result of accelerating or decelerating too abruptly, such as in a vehicle accident. Concussion victims frequently feel confused and puzzled, occasionally feel ill, or briefly lose consciousness. A force that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth inside the skull results in a concussion. A direct strike or a blow to the body that causes the head to swiftly swivel can both result in this.

3. Fractures

Hand Fracture. Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Because helmets are rarely used, there has been a rise in face fractures, particularly of the nose. Meniscus tears, medial collateral ligament sprains, and anterior cruciate ligament sprains can all be caused by rotational pressures during a sudden change in direction as well as by contact forces. Fractures cause severe discomfort, swelling, and even deformity. The player may find it difficult or excruciating to move the limb.

Correctly supporting or “splinting” the wounded limb can frequently reduce the discomfort associated with broken limbs. However, in most cases, if the player is unable to move because of discomfort, especially with lower limb fractures, they should stay still and wait for more qualified assistance to arrive.

4. Dislocations

Jaw Dislocation. Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Rugby’s physical makeup causes enormous contact pressures to be applied to the shoulder area. Typically, injuries happen when tackling, being tackled, landing on the shoulder, or both. Rugby players that suffer acute shoulder dislocations 95–98% of the time do so anteriorly. The most typical explanation for an anterior dislocation of the shoulder is a fall with a posteriorly directed force onto an externally and abducted extended arm.

5. Contusion

In contact sports, particularly rugby and combat sports where collisions are frequent, contusion injuries are very prevalent. A direct, blunt impact to the muscle, which damages the muscle cells and tissues and results in bleeding of the tissue because blood vessels are damaged, is the typical cause of a muscle contusion (there are additional forms). Necrosis and hemorrhage are brought on by this, which promotes inflammation that is essential for tissue recovery. The bruising is caused by blood escaping from damaged capillaries.

The goal of first care should be to limit bleeding and inflammation in order to relieve pressure and discomfort at the injury site. To treat muscle injuries, stop additional bleeding, swelling, and discomfort, start with rest and ice and unload the limb if necessary. From the first day, tape can be applied to the damaged area to promote fluid and bruise clearance.

6. Cuts And Lacerations

A sharp item, such as a knife, a piece of glass, or even a piece of paper, is generally what causes cuts. Deep cuts or tears in the skin are known as lacerations, and they typically have ragged, uneven edges. Abrasions and grazes are superficial (surface) wounds when contact damages the top layer of skin.

7. Injury From Overuse

Rugby requires a lot of running, therefore overuse ailments including tendinitis in the knee or ankle, medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), and bursitis are frequently observed. Even while these are typically not regarded as “serious” injuries, if not treated appropriately by a trained sports medicine practitioner, they can negatively impact performance and possibly result in more severe problems.

8. Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder Injury. Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash

Meniscus tears, medial collateral ligament sprains, and anterior cruciate ligament sprains can all be caused by rotational pressures during a sudden change in direction as well as by contact forces. Acromioclavicular joint sprains (AC separation) or glen humeral joint dislocations are two common shoulder injuries brought on by impact with other players or the ground. Rugby players frequently get facial injuries due to the lack of any protective masks worn by the players. Due to the lack of body armor, rugby tacklers are thus just as susceptible to injury as those being tackled.

9. Hamstring Strain Injuries

Hamstring strain injuries are one of the most prevalent injuries in Rugby Union, accounting up to 15% of all injuries reported. Play should be momentarily stopped if you think your hamstring may be hurt. If you keep playing rugby, your injury might get worse and you could potentially completely destroy your hamstring muscles. It has been demonstrated that hamstring injuries lead to persistent anatomical abnormalities on MRI scans and during physical examinations. If not treated appropriately, high (proximal) hamstring injuries might eventually develop a disease termed chronic hamstring tendinopathy.

Low grade hamstring injuries can recover in a few days to a week, at which point they can resume their previous sport or activity. Larger injuries might keep athletes out of the game for two to six weeks.

10. Shoulder Injuries

Rugby players now have shoulder injuries more frequently and with more severity than before. This could be as a result of how violent and fierce the game has become through time, as well as how it has transitioned from being mostly an amateur sport to one that is played at a professional level. Equally significant is the fact that younger players play with greater aggression and competition, and that these players have unique injury patterns due to their undeveloped skeletal systems.

In conclusion, rugby players must be prepared for the physical toll because injuries are an inherent feature of the sport in its dynamic environment. These 10 typical injuries, which range from bone-crushing tackles to high-velocity collisions, serve as a reminder that winning on the field sometimes comes at a price.