MCL Injuries Identified at the NFL Combine: Case Study - Matthew Provencher, MD | Orthopedic Knee & Shoulder Surgeon

Authors:

Catherine A Logan, Colin P Murphy, Anthony Sanchez, Grant J Dornan, James M Whalen, Mark D Price, James P Bradley, Robert F LaPrade, Matthew T Provencher

Abstract:

Background: The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the most commonly injured structures in the knee, especially in young athletes. The impact of MCL injury on National Football League (NFL) performance in elite collegiate athletes has not yet been described in the literature.

Purpose: We aim to (1) describe the prevalence and severity of MCL injuries in NFL Combine participants, (2) detail injury management, and (3) analyze the impact of MCL injury on NFL performance in terms of draft position, games played, games started, and snap percentage.

Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods: A retrospective review of all NFL Combine participants from 2009 to 2015 was performed by reviewing medical records and imaging reports from the combine to identify all players with MCL injuries. A control group was developed from the players evaluated at the combine without MCL injury. For each affected knee, the MCL injury was classified by location and severity based on results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Each player’s respective NFL draft position, number of NFL games played, number of NFL games started, and NFL snap percentage for the first 2 seasons in the league were collected through the use of NFL.com and Pro-Football-Focus, which are web-based, publicly accessible, comprehensive sports statistics databases.

Results: A total of 2285 players participated in the NFL Combine between 2009 and 2015. Three hundred one athletes (13.2%) were identified as having MCL injuries; 36 (12%) of the athletes with MCL injury presented with bilateral injuries, for a total of 337 MCL injuries. Additional soft tissue injury was identified on 187 of 337 (55%) MRIs. Players with a history of MCL injury were more likely to play at least 2 years in the NFL compared with those in the control group (P = .003). Players who had isolated MCL injury performed significantly better compared with athletes who had combined injuries with regard to draft position (P = .034), proportion playing at least 2 seasons in the NFL (P = .022), games played (P = .014), and games started (P = .020) in the first 2 years. No significant difference was found between players who underwent operative versus nonoperative management of their MCL injury.

Conclusion: A relatively high percentage of players at the NFL Combine had evidence of MCL injury (13%). A prior history of MCL tear had no negative impact on an athlete’s NFL performance. Players who had isolated MCL injury performed significantly better compared with athletes who had combined injuries with regard to draft position, proportion playing 2 seasons or more in the NFL, and games played and started in the first 2 years.

For the complete study: Medial Collateral Ligament Injuries Identified at the National Football League Scouting Combine Assessment of Epidemiological Characteristics, Imaging Findings, and Initial Career Performance

Matthew Provencher, MD

Average rating:

64 reviews

Gene reiling

Jul 21, 2023

by Gene reiling on Matthew Provencher, MD

Success

If you are planning to see Dr Provencher ,do not hesitate ,do it. In 2018 Dr Provencher replaced my LCL. I had no complications and very little pain. I did my physical therapy as prescribed. I was able to ski 30 plus days the winter of 2019-2020. Before seeing dr Provencher I had spent a years time trying to solve my problem locally. I saw a pain specialist, orthopedic urgent care and a orthopedic surgeon. All had access to an mri done locally. It was also read by local radiologist. Pain dr gave injections as did orthopedic urgent care. No relief from pain. Orthopedic surgeon told me about arthritis, meniscus needing cleaning up and general deterioration from age. Told me to take ibuprofen for pain. At that time I reached out to Steadman Clinic. By luck of the draw I was assigned Dr Provencher. I took with me the mri that had been done locally and viewed by 3 local Drs and 1 PA. It took Dr Provencher less than a minute to tell me my problem was my LCL after viewing my mri. He told me my options . I selected surgery as I wanted to continue an active life style. It was a complete success!!

THEODORE Wirecki

by THEODORE Wirecki on Matthew Provencher, MD

My reverse shoulder replacement

I had my reverse shoulder replacement with Dr.Provencher four months ago. Took an hour, home an hour later. No pain with the meds cocktail, ice machine, and lidocaine pump. My recovery was incredible quick and effortless, no pain and good range of motion. Dr.Provencher is really the best surgeon, and a genuine and kind human being. If you are able to have Dr. Provencher do your shoulder you would be a fool to go anywhere else. The Steadman Clinic is state of the art, extremely efficient, using tranexamic acid intravenously right before surgery to minimize bleeding and many other sophisticated strategies not available in community hospitals. The process and the outcome way exceeded my expectations. If you would like more detail about the experience email me or call on my cell, 3036182303.
Ted Wirecki MD

Alvin Hrubes

Feb 1, 2023

by Alvin Hrubes on Matthew Provencher, MD

My shoulder was ruined in a car accident. I am 82 years old and Dr. Provencher did more than I had ever hoped for. He did a reverse shoulder and at 2 weeks the range of motion exceeded what I had before replacement. He is my hero! Thank you, Dr. Provencher!!

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