Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41454666›Full record

ArticlePM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation2026

Association of arthritis and total joint arthroplasty with self-reported function in former professional American-style football players.

Michelle M Bruneau, Rachel Grashow, Michael Leung, Alicia J Whittington, Herman A Taylor, Marc G Weisskopf, Frank E Speizer, Ross Zafonte, Adam S Tenforde

Abstract readMulticenter Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Adipose-derived and bone marrow aspirate concentrate injections for osteoarthritis: A scoping review.PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Michelle M BruneauDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.
Rachel GrashowFootball Players Health Study at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Michael LeungFootball Players Health Study at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Alicia J WhittingtonFootball Players Health Study at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Herman A TaylorFootball Players Health Study at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Marc G WeisskopfDepartment of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Frank E SpeizerDepartment of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Ross ZafonteFootball Players Health Study at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Adam S TenfordeDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.

Funding

National Football League Players Association
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundParticipation in American-style football (ASF) results in trauma-related concerns including joint injuries. Limited work has described arthritis and knee and hip total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in this population. The association of these conditions to pain interference and physical and mental function has not been well described.

objectives1. To characterize demographic, football, and health-related factors in former ASF players associated with arthritis and knee or hip TJA. 2. To investigate the association of arthritis and knee or hip TJA with pain interference and physical and mental function. STUDY

designCross-sectional cohort study.

settingAcademic medical multisite hospital system.

participantsFormer ASF players who played professionally from 1960 to 2019. ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Self-completed standardized questionnaires.

main outcome measuresSurveys included self-reported arthritis and knee and hip TJA, Patient-Reported Outcome Measure Instrument Scale (PROMIS), physical function and mental function, and pain interference scales. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the association between demographic, football-related, and health characteristics with arthritis and knee and hip TJA. Multivariable linear regression models evaluated the association between arthritis and knee and hip TJA with pain interference and physical and mental function.

resultsIn 4189 former ASF players (average and SD: 51.8 ± 14.4 years old) over half (n = 2237, 53.4%) had arthritis (n = 1547) or knee or hip TJA (n = 690). Both arthritis and knee and hip TJA were more common in those who were older, with higher body mass index, and prior surgery during playing years and were linemen (p < .05). Additionally, arthritis was more common in players who were never married (p = .01) and with higher concussion symptoms score (p < .001). Knee and hip TJA were more common in players who self-identified as White (p < .001). Both arthritis and knee and hip TJA were associated with greater pain interference and reduced physical function (all p < .001) but not with mental function.

conclusionMore than half of former ASF players reported arthritis or knee or hip TJA. Higher pain interference and reduced physical function in former ASF players with arthritis and knee or hip TJA highlight the importance of advancing strategies to prevent and treat joint conditions.

Indexed as

ArthritisArthroplasty, Replacement, HipArthroplasty, Replacement, KneeFootballAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPain MeasurementPatient Reported Outcome MeasuresSelf ReportUnited States

Identifiers

PMID41454666
PMCPMC13193457

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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