Operative Repair of Hamstring Injuries from the Jackling Position in Rugby

Description

The presentation by Joshua Thompson focuses on the operative repair of hamstring injuries in rugby, particularly those sustained in the Jackal position, a common scenario following tackles. Thompson thanks his coauthors and states there are no disclosures relevant to the research. Hamstring injuries are noted as prevalent among rugby players, with Brook et al citing that over 20% of professional players experience these injuries each season, often during sprinting phases. He elaborates on the Jackal position, involving a defensive player attempting to win back the ball, emphasizing that this posture can put players at risk for hamstring injuries due to the forces involved in contact situations.



The study aims to raise awareness of this unique injury mechanism and present outcomes from surgical repairs of complete proximal hamstring avulsions. It involved a case series of 54 elite rugby players who underwent acute surgical repair between 2013 and 2020. Inclusion criteria included injuries happening in the Jackal position and confirmed by MRI. The results show a high return to pre-injury sporting activities for patients, excellent recovery in muscle strength, and a low recurrence rate of injuries.



Most notably, 51 of 54 patients returned to their original activity levels, with no reported recurrences, and significant improvements in muscle strength and functional scores were observed one year post-surgery. However, limitations include a lack of a control group and a small sample size due to the rarity of such injuries. Thompson concludes the presentation by stressing the importance of recognizing this injury mechanism in rugby to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely treatment, asserting that surgical repair leads to favorable outcomes with minimal complications.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-210711

Specialties