Craniofacial Injuries in Rugby: A US National Database Analysis

In 35,583 total cases, 77.8% of diagnoses were male and 22.2% were female. There has been a downward trajectory in the annual injury rate, going from 5033 cases in 2014 to 2862 cases in 2023. Most diagnoses were internal injuries, lacerations, and concussions. Prevention of and recovery from craniofacial injuries requires greater attention among rugby coaches, players, and fans. Players should be given more time to recover and should consider wearing protective equipment to minimize injury. In addition, youth and amateur players would benefit from targeted education on proper tackling techniques and injury prevention strategies, addressing the heightened vulnerability in younger demographics due to lack of experience and developmental factors.