Sign in Subscribe
Sports associations

High Return-to-Play Rates for NBA Players after Meniscus Surgery

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

NBA players who underwent meniscus surgery between 2010 and 2023 demonstrated a high return-to-play (RTP) rate of 90.7%, with 43 out of 47 eligible players returning to play. Despite some performance declines in the first year after surgery, players' careers continued for an average of 4.7 seasons, with a median of 17 games missed postoperatively. The study found that older age was correlated with reduced games played, minutes per game, and player efficiency rating, but body mass index and position had no significant impact on outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • 90.7% of NBA players returned to play after meniscus surgery between 2010 and 2023.
  • Players missed a median of 17 games postoperatively and continued their careers for an average of 4.7 seasons.
  • Older age was correlated with reduced games played, minutes per game, and player efficiency rating.
  • Body mass index and position had no significant impact on outcomes.
  • Performance metrics, including games played, minutes per game, and player efficiency rating, declined in the first year after surgery but recovered by the second postoperative season.
  • Workload management strategies may contribute to ongoing reduced availability of players despite high RTP rates.
  • The study highlights the importance of updated insights into postoperative outcomes in professional basketball players.

Statistics:

  • 43 out of 47 eligible NBA players (90.7%) returned to play after meniscus surgery.
  • Players missed a median of 17 games postoperatively (range: 0-104 games).
  • Players continued their careers for an average of 4.7 seasons postoperatively (range: 1-11 seasons).
  • Games played per season significantly declined at one year postoperatively (60.9%, p < 0.1).
  • Player efficiency rating (PER) declined by 16.5% in the first year postoperatively and recovered by 87.3% by the second postoperative season.

Sources:

  • National Basketball Association Players' Return To Play and Performance After Operative Treatment of Meniscal Tears. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2025;24(2):363-369.
  • Journal of Sports Science and Medicine can be contacted at: Journal Sports Science & Medicine, Medical Faculty Uludag Univ, Dept Sports Medicine, Bursa, 16059, Turkiye.
  • Cameron Nosrat, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States.

Read more