MMA: No pain, no gain

Full-contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques.

Bouts take place in a boxing ring or caged arena.

Stoppage can occur by submission, KO, TKO or doctors.

Most civilizations developed some form of combat sports.

Egyptian mural paintings dating back to 3,000 BC with hand fighting techniques.

Pankration was introduced into the Olympic games in 648 BC.

Modern MMA evolved from the early wars of strictly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu versus American wrestling.

MMA has experienced a surging popularity and growth since the early 2000s. Some areas more popular than boxing.

Scrutinize by medical organizations.

Modern day MMA fighters are elite versatile athletes.

While the fighters have evolved, the support system around them has not.

When it comes to many areas of injury prevention and treatment, MMA is still stuck in the Dark Ages.

How much is actually known about the epidemiology of injury in MMA?

Few meta-analyses or systematic reviews in the literature.

Fairly new form of sport entertainment.

The Epidemiology of Injuries in Mixed Martial Arts.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2014. To describe and evaluate the incidence, severity,

patterns, and risk factors of injury in MMA.

ResultsHead most commonly injured

anatomic region (66-78%)Wrist/Hand 2nd most commonly

injured region (7-43%)

Results Laceration most common injury type

(36-59%) Fracture/Dislocation 2nd most common

injury type (7.4-43.3%) Concussion (3.8-20%)

Risks factors for injury.

Most important is the outcome of the fight. Losers had 3 times more injuries. TKO or KO bouts had 2 times more

injuries.

Conclusion:

MMA injury incidence is greater than most contact combat sports.MMA and professional boxing share

similar injury patterns.

Knockouts (KO/TKO) meets current criteria for a concussion.

Repetitive head trauma increases risks for degenerative brain disease. chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The slow accumulation of punishment irreparable neurological harm.

Head trauma in Mixed Martial Arts

6.4 KO per 100 athletes-exposures (12.7%) 9.5 TKO per 100 athletes-exposures (19.1%) Conclusion: KO and TKO rates in MMA are higher the

other combative sports.

The Professional Fighters Brain Health Study. Exposure to repetitive head trauma leads to

lower brain volumes. The more exposure to repetitive head

trauma, the greater the likelihood of cognitive impairment. Too soon to say if fighters are at a greater

risk than non-fighters of suffering from CTE .

Bruising/hematoma Laceration/abrasion Fracture/Dislocation Muscle/Tendon Concussion Nerve Damage

The rates 0f Traumatic Brain Injury and musculoskeletal injury are higher in MMA compared to most commonly practiced combat sports.

Extreme Sports ConferenceJune 2016Woodley Desir MDMix Martial ArtsHistoryEgyptian Greek Pankration HistoryHistoryMMAInjuriesLiterature ReviewLiterature reviewLiterature ReviewLiterature ReviewLiterature ReviewTraumatic brain injuriesLiterature reviewSlide Number 17ConcussionCTETypes of injuryHematomaLaceration/AbrasionFracture/DislocationLigament/TendonAnkle Fracture/DislocationTibia-Fibula fractureSummary