Quadriceps Injuries in Major League Soccer: A 10‐Year Analysis of Injury Rate, Return‐to‐Play, and Performance Metrics

Purpose To evaluate quadriceps injury rates, return‐to‐play (RTP) durations, and postinjury performance in Major League Soccer (MLS) athletes with quadriceps injuries. Methods Data from MLS players with quadriceps injuries (2010‐2021) were analyzed using the MLS Injury Surveillance database. Injury rates, RTP times, and reinjury rates were compared across 2 periods (2010‐2015 vs 2016‐2021). Uninjured players matched 2:1 by position, age, and experience served as controls. Postinjury performance metrics including games played, minutes played, goals, assists, and clean sheets were compared longitudinally across 3 seasons. Results A total of 1550 MLS players were included. The average age of injured players was 25.57 ± 4.03 years. Injury rates slightly decreased from 7.70% (2010‐2015) to 6.51% (2016‐2021, P = .111). RTP times significantly increased from 14.4 to 23.0 days ( P < .001). Reinjury rates declined from 5.08% (2010‐2015) to 0.82% (2016‐2021) ( P = .098). RTP after reinjury was longer in 2016‐2021 but nonsignificant ( P = .647). Game‐related injuries had shorter RTP (16.4 vs 20.7 days, P = .030). Acute contact injuries resulted in shorter RTP (9.55 days) compared with noncontact (27.0 days) or chronic injuries (16.2 days, P < .001). Weather at the time of injury influenced RTP, with shorter durations in rainy/snowy conditions (11.0 vs 18.75 days, P < .0001). Field type had no significant impact ( P = .361). Defenders experienced significant declines in minutes played per season and at 3 years after injury ( P = .002, P = .004, respectively). No significant differences were found in goals, assists, or clean sheets. Conclusions In this study, reductions in injury and reinjury rates were not statistically significant. Longer RTP durations may reflect a cautious recovery approach or may also reflect end‐of‐season timing or off‐season transitions. Position‐specific rehabilitation, particularly for defenders, may enhance outcomes. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.