Pre-existing Lumbar Spine Diagnosis as a Predictor of Outcomes in National Football League Athletes

Background:It is currently unknown how pre-existing lumbar spine conditions may affect the medical evaluation, draft status, and subsequent career performance of National Football League (NFL) players.Purpose:To determine if a pre-existing lumbar diagnosis affects a player’s draft status or his performance and longevity in the NFL.Study Design:Cohort study; Level 3.Methods:The investigators evaluated the written medical evaluations and imaging reports of prospective NFL players from a single franchise during the NFL Scouting Combine from 2003 to 2011. Players with a reported lumbar spine diagnosis and with appropriate imaging were included in this study. Athletes were then matched to control draftees without a lumbar spine diagnosis by age, position, year, and round drafted. Career statistics and performance scores were calculated.Results:Of a total of 2965 athletes evaluated, 414 were identified as having a pre-existing lumbar spine diagnosis. Players without a lumbar spine diagnosis were more likely to ...