Shoulder dislocations in professional male football (soccer) do not negatively affect long-term quantitative and qualitative performance parameters: A retrospective analysis of 30 in-match injuries of the German Bundesliga.

Purpose: Shoulder dislocations in professional football are increasing and regularly associated with substantial layoff times. However, research on players' postinjury performance remains limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether first-time shoulder dislocations negatively affect performance after return to play (RTP) and to determine whether the type of treatment (nonoperative vs. operative) influences post-injury performance outcomes. Methods: Retrospective, media-based analysis of all first-time in-match shoulder dislocations in the top two German football leagues (first and second Bundesliga) from the 2012/2013 to 2021/2022 season (n = 30). Quantitative and qualitative performance data, as well as player-, match- and injury-related data were obtained from official databases. The Goalimpact (Goalimpact GmbH), a numerical value representing an individual player's impact on team success, served as the qualitative parameter. Data were analysed up to 2 years pre-injury and 2 years post-RTP. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 30 shoulder dislocations in 30 players with a median age of 25 years (Interquartile range [IQR]: 23-26) were available for analysis. Median layoff time was 65 days (IQR: 23-115), 22 days (IQR: 10-34) for those treated conservatively and 112 days (IQR: 92-133; p < 0.001) for players undergoing surgery. Quantitative performance parameters showed a temporary decrease, with fewer matches (p = 0.017) and minutes played (p = 0.004) in the 10 matches following RTP compared to the 10 matches pre-injury. Goalimpact values were initially comparable to pre-injury levels but improved 1 year (131 [IQR: 115-150] vs. 141 [IQR: 122-160]; p = 0.001) and 2 years (127 [IQR: 107-153] vs. 139 [IQR: 124-161]; p < 0.001) after RTP compared to pre-injury. No significant differences in performance were found regarding type of injury or type of treatment, nor were performance outcomes statistically significantly influenced by player's age, league and position played. Conclusion: Shoulder dislocations in professional football led to a temporary short-term decrease in quantitative performance parameters, while qualitative performance parameters remained initially similar. Type of injury as well as type of treatment, player's age, league and position played did not significantly influence performance outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level III.