Patterns and management of severe muscle, tendon, and cartilage injuries in elite badminton players: a discipline-based analysis of singles and doubles

Background This study examined severe muscle, tendon, and cartilage injury characteristics, post-injury management, and psychological concerns between singles and doubles elite badminton players. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study included 126 elite badminton players (64 singles and 62 doubles). Lifetime severe-injury experience, injury characteristics, post-injury management, psychological concerns, and RTP were assessed. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to analyze binary outcomes while accounting for within-athlete correlations. Multicategory outcomes were summarized descriptively using all 87 selected injury records, and inferential comparisons were performed using one injury record per athlete ( n = 73), retaining either the earlier or later injury in separate analyses. Results Lifetime severe-injury experience was reported by 57.9% of players (54.7% in singles; 61.3% in doubles). Among 73 affected players, 87 severe injury records were selected for analysis, predominantly involving the lower limbs (78.2%) and overuse mechanisms (64.4%). Unadjusted GEE analysis showed higher odds of dominant-side involvement among selected injury records from currently classified singles players than among those from doubles players (OR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.21–7.95, p = 0.018). Surgery, medical clearance prior to RTP, and reinjury did not differ significantly between disciplines. Of the selected injury records, 66.7% lacked medical clearance prior to RTP, and 52.9% had a reported history of reinjury. Conclusions Most severe injury characteristics and post-injury management outcomes were similar between singles and doubles players, although exploratory analyses identified a difference in dominant-side involvement among the selected injury records. These findings suggest potential discipline-related differences warranting further investigation.