Table 6

Data on the injury pattern and burden of specific match injuries among professional rugby teams in New Zealand (2005–2018, unpublished data).

RegionInjuriesIncidenceMedian time lossBurden
 TypenInjuries per 1000 hours (95% CI)Days (95% CI)Time loss days per 1000 hours (95% CI)
  Diagnosis
Head27712.9(11.5 to 14.5)9(8 to 10)325(317 to 333)
  Concussion 2049.5(8.3 to 10.9)10(9 to 11)257(250 to 263)
Neck 602.8(2.2 to 3.6)8(6 to 10)135(130 to 140)
Shoulder 1687.8(6.7 to 9.1)21(14 to 27)628(618 to 639)
 Acute dislocation150.7(0.4 to 1.1)209(27 to 337)165(159 to 170)
 Haematoma180.8(0.5 to 1.3)8(4 to 13)25(23 to 27)
 Joint sprain1024.8(3.9 to 5.7)19(12 to 25)292(285 to 300)
  Acromioclavicular joint sprain 542.5(1.9 to 3.3)14(10 to 20)68(65 to 72)
  Glenohumeral joint sprain 482.2(1.7 to 2.9)30(14 to 80)225(218 to 231)
Upper arm 40.2(0.1 to 0.4)6(3 to 133)7(6 to 8)
Elbow 271.3(0.9 to 1.8)9(5 to 17)42(39 to 44)
Forearm 100.5(0.2 to 0.8)99(44 to 131)65(61 to 68)
Wrist and hand 964.5(3.6 to 5.4)10(7 to 27)194(188 to 200)
Chest 813.8(3.0 to 4.7)13(10 to 16)75(71 to 79)
Thoracic spine 60.3(0.1 to 0.6)5(3 to 50)5(4 to 6)
Lumbar spine 321.5(1.0 to 2.1)10(5 to 21)66(63 to 70)
Pelvis/ B uttock (excl uding groin) 60.3(0.1 to 0.6)12(5 to 20)3(3 to 4)
Hip/ G roin 401.9(1.4 to 2.5)9(6 to 11)82(78 to 86)
Thigh 1386.4(5.4 to 7.6)14(11 to 17)171(165 to 176)
Knee 1657.7(6.6 to 8.9)31(23 to 37)544(535 to 554)
 Knee cartilage injury291.4(0.9 to 1.9)43(29 to 58)124(120 to 129)
  Meniscal cartilage injury 221.0(0.7 to 1.5)44(28 to 62)101(96 to 105)
 Knee ligament injury1255.8(4.9 to 6.9)30(20 to 37)390(382 to 398)
  MCL injury 753.5(2.8 to 4.4)33(24 to 37)154(149 to 159)
  ACL injury 90.4(0.2 to 0.8)275(70 to 295)92(88 to 96)
  PCL injury 60.3(0.1 to 0.6)20(12 to 218)23(21 to 25)
  Posterolateral corner and LCL injury 80.4(0.2 to 0.7)35(7 to 132)55(52 to 58)
Lower leg 1004.0(3.2 to 4.9)17(14 to 23)190(184 to 196)
Ankle 1476.9(5.8 to 8.0)15(11 to 21)320(313 to 328)
 Ankle sprain1135.3(4.4 to 6.3)15(11 to 21)228(222 to 235)
  Lateral ligament sprain 462.1(1.6 to 2.8)15(9 to 19)78(74 to 82)
  Syndesmosis sprain 341.6(1.1 to 2.2)33(28 to 43)108(104 to 112)
Foot 401.9(1.4 to 2.5)37(14 to 57)84(80 to 88)
  • See also figure 5, illustrating the same data set in less detail as a risk matrix, as well as the sections on rates, severity and burden of health problems, for an explanation of these concepts.

  • LCL, lateral collateral ligament; MCL, medial collateral ligament; PCL, posterior cruciate ligament.