A Prospective Survey of Injuries to First-Grade Rugby Union Players

Rugby is a popular winter sport played by many Australians. It is a contact game and as such can be expected to produce injuries. Quality research into injuries affecting top-level players is scarce. We have conducted a prospective injuries survey of eight first-grade teams for an entire season. The majority of injuries were minor with little time lost from playing. The loose forwards and center backs were the most frequently injured. Tackling was the most dangerous activity. The majority of injuries were closed soft tissue derangements, with the head being the most commonly injured region. The most frequently injured joint was the shoulder. Injuries were more likely to occur early in the season and late in the game. Cervical spine injuries to front row forwards composed a significant proportion of injuries requiring prolonged absence from the game. Emphasis on teaching and refining tackling skills should be an important aspect of injury prevention. Shoulder injuries require proper diagnoses by suitably qualified professionals so that specific and appropriate treatment regimens can be instituted. Although catastrophic injuries at the first-grade level are uncommon, further investigation needs to be conducted into the long-term sequelae of rugby injuries. In particular, the issue of cervical spine degeneration in front-row forwards needs to be addressed.