ArticleOrthopaedic journal of sports medicine2026
Achilles Tendon Injuries in Major League Soccer: A 10-year Analysis of Injury Rate, Return to Play, and Performance Metrics.
Article in Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Background: Injuries to the Achilles tendon, such as tears or ruptures, are commonly observed among elite athletes. These injuries can be debilitating for professional soccer players, leading to prolonged recovery and potential performance declines. Purpose: To investigate the annual incidence, return-to-play (RTP) duration, and postinjury performance outcomes of Major League Soccer (MLS) players who sustained Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This retrospective matched-cohort study evaluated MLS players with Achilles tendon injuries from 2010 to 2021, identified through the MLS Injury Surveillance database, and compared outcomes, including RTP duration, between players with ruptured and nonruptured (soreness, contusion, inflammation, irritation, sprain, tendinosis, tendinitis) injuries. Uninjured controls were matched 2:1 by age, position, and MLS experience. Annual injury incidence, RTP duration, and performance metrics, including games played, minutes played, goals, assists, and defensive contributions, were compared between injured and control cohorts. Multivariate linear regression was performed to identify independent predictors of RTP duration, adjusting for age, player position, injury type, mechanism of onset, field type, weather condition, and injury period. Statistical analyses set significance at Results: The mean RTP for ruptured Achilles injuries (n = 20) was 229 days, with no significant difference between 2010-2015 and 2016-2021 ( Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Achilles tendon ruptures in MLS players were associated with substantial recovery burden and long-term performance declines, particularly among goalkeepers. These findings suggest a potential need for position-specific rehabilitation strategies and structured RTP protocols aimed at optimizing recovery and performance retention in professional soccer players.
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