Return-to-Sport Time and Postoperative Performance in MLB Players Undergoing Wrist Arthroscopy

Erin I. Orozco, Andrea E. Guloy, Michael O. Cotton, Robert A. Jack, Shari R. Liberman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Wrist injuries are common in sports and can result in prolonged time missed from playing. This study aimed to determine in Major League Baseball-players after arthroscopic wrist surgery the return-to-sport (RTS) rate, postoperative career length, and changes in performance compared with preoperative statistics and matched controls.

METHODS: Major League Baseball players who underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery from 1990 to 2019 were identified. Demographic and performance data were collected for each player, and matched controls were identified. Comparisons were made via paired samples Student t tests.

RESULTS: Twenty-six players (27 surgeries) were identified. The average age of included players was 28.9 ± 2.9 years with an average professional experience of 5.2 ± 3.4 years. Eighty-four percent of players returned to sport, with an average RTS time of 5.0 ± 2.7 months. A statistically significant ( P < .05) decrease was seen in preoperative and postoperative runs scored per season (95.6 ± 91.3 vs 41.0 ± 29.5), batting average (BA) (0.270 ± 0.024 vs 0.240 ± 0.036), and average wins above replacement (WAR) (1.5 ± 1.1 vs 0.8 ± 0.9).

CONCLUSION: Major League Baseball players who underwent arthroscopic wrist surgery had an RTS rate of 84% at a mean time of 5.0 months. There was no significant difference in performance statistics between cases postoperatively and matched controls overall, with some differences in performance found when categorized by position. However, a significant decrease in performance among case players was observed between preoperative and postoperative performance, including runs per season, BA, and WAR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1269-1277
Number of pages9
JournalHand
Volume17
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2022

Keywords

  • anatomy
  • arthroscopy
  • outcomes
  • research and health outcomes
  • specialty
  • surgery
  • wrist
  • Baseball/injuries
  • Humans
  • Postoperative Period
  • Wrist
  • Arthroscopy
  • Return to Sport
  • Adult

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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