I helped to moderate a STOP Sports Injuries tweetchat Oct 10, 2013. This month we focused on rugby injuries. The post below is a summary of that discussion.STOP Sports Injuries

For those of you unfamiliar with tweetchats, people answer questions posed by the moderator and comment on other tweets using the hashtag specified – in this case #SportsSafety. It often starts slowly, as this one did, but it can become difficult to follow when many people get involved and respond to many different questions and comments. This month’s chat was lively with tweets from great minds all over the world!

If you enjoy fast-paced discussions about important sports medicine, healthcare, and social media topics, join us for future #SportsSafety tweetchats. We usually hold these chats on the second Wednesday of each month. The next #SportsSafety tweetchat will take place on Wednesday, November 13 at 9 PM ET.

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Thank you also to @DrDavidGeier for joining us tonight as we talk #rugby safety. With that we are about set to go! #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Tonight we are happy to welcome @KeatingSports, Medical Director of @USARugby to the chat! #SportsSafety

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Thanks for hosting. I look forward to the discussion! #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Let’s get a lay of the land with Q1: Are rugby programs offered in your area – either in schools or at club/rec levels? #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Welcome! #SportsSafety RT @drnickUSA @SportsSafety I’m here too. I look forward to @KeatingSports perspective & insights!

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Rugby has really taken off here in Charleston over the last 5 years. Now colleges, many high schools have teams #SportsSafety

Carrie Boan ‏@carrie_boan
@SportsSafety Augusta Rugby league exists but not as popular as some other sports in Augusta/Evans, GA #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Let’s run with Q2: Do you see many injuries in rugby – if so, what types? #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
@carrie_boan What age ranges in that league? #SportsSafety

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
The growth in #rugby here has led to a lot of parents asking about injuries in it too. Great opportunity for education #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @KeatingSports @SportsSafety yes – collision sport. Contusions, lacerations, sprains, strains and concussions.

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @PirateATC Q1 There are NO programs offered that I am aware of in NE Ohio. (A few adult teams, but nothing for youth.)

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety Think athletic trainers could share on-field injuries, like laceratons. I see knee lig tears, shoulder injuries #SportsSafety

Brad Morgan MEd AT ‏@PirateATC
My only experience with Rugby was in undergrad years. Club team. I saw my first obvious concussion. #SportsSafety

Carrie Boan ‏@carrie_boan
@SportsSafety most are 18+ #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @KeatingSports @SportsSafety lots of rugby in Ohio. Has large youth, club and college game

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety MT @drnickUSA Is there less concussions than football since there’s no helmets & thus less intentional head to head activity?

Stephanie Davey ‏@ssd_ATC
@SportsSafety we see quite a few facial injuries #sportssafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
RT @ssd_ATC @SportsSafety we see quite a few facial injuries #sportssafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @KeatingSports top 5: thigh hematoma, hamstring strain, AC jt sprain, calf strain, concussion. @Official_RFU 2010-11 data

Bobby Weisenberger ‏@BWW_ATC
@SportsSafety @drnickUSA I have found that to be true in games I have worked #SportsSafety

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
@SportsSafety @drnickUSA I don’t know concussion data, but I would suspect the rates are lower than football #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Thanks for the tweets, everyone! A reminder to use the hashtag #SportsSafety to make sure your posts show-up in the chat stream.

Stephanie Davey ‏@ssd_ATC
@DrDavidGeier @SportsSafety @drnickUSA I would imagine a lot go unreported #sportssafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety MT @WPOrthoResearch still many head injuries. Prob. from American rugby players using techniques learned in American football.

Nicholas DiNubile MD ‏@drnickUSA
@SportsSafety #Rugby players seem more likely to play in pain/injured than other athletes. True? Is it the expected ethic? #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety MT @KeatingSports direct blows to the head has always been illegal in rugby – that just became a rule in football and hockey

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Some great info, and interesting #concussion discussion related to rugby. #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Let’s take that to Q3: How can we decrease injuries in rugby? What can we do to improve recognition and initial treatment? #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety What is the level of medical coverage and support for rugby in most areas #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety In our experience few college or club teams have medical support #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @KeatingSports @SportsSafety Big issue. 1. Education 2. Coaching. 3. Fitness. 4. Safe Play

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @WPOrthoResearch @SportsSafety In our experience few college or club teams have medical support #SportsSafety

Dr. David Geier ‏@DrDavidGeier
@WPOrthoResearch @SportsSafety I’d agree. Think athletic trainer/MD coverage for #rugby teams is inadequate in many areas #SportsSafety

Nicholas DiNubile MD ‏@drnickUSA
@SportsSafety Soccer players have higher incidence of #knee #osteoarthritis. Do you see the same in older rugby players? #SportsSafety

McKenna Kowalski ‏@M3Kowalski
@emwinter14 Rugby is… #SportsSafety yes – collision sport. Contusions, lacerations, sprains, strains and concussions.

Dr. Amber Shipherd ‏@DocShipherd
@SportsSafety In the US college teams struggle w/ player #s leads to athletes playing when very physically & mentally fatigued #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@DocShipherd @SportsSafety and poorly conditioned for the sport #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Some chatter about this tonight, so for Q4: Do the rugby teams in your area have sideline medical coverage by ATC or doctors? #SportsSafety

Dr. Amber Shipherd ‏@DocShipherd
@WPOrthoResearch @SportsSafety And many w/o actual rugby experience…they’re thrown in when they’re very green #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety Our teams almost always have an ATC and/or physician but visiting teams almost never have coverage. #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety MT @KeatingSports if you run a rugby team and don’t have a medical plan and staff…parents and players should look elsewhere.

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
Thanks to everyone for your tweets so far! We we are approaching the end of our hour but have one more question! #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafetyRugby scrum
Q5: What kinds of rugby injury prevention programs are available to athletes in your community? #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
#SportsSafety RT @headchecker25 1m @KeatingSports @WPOrthoResearch Most clubs and all high schools in Chicagoland have access to ATC’s

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety Skilled coaching would go a long way in preventing injuries! #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
RT @KeatingSports Here is a great resource for players, coaches and medical staff: http://www.irbplayerwelfare.com #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety @headchecker25 @KeatingSports That is great!! #SportsSafety

Alasdair Dempsey ‏@ARDempsey
@SportsSafety @WPOrthoResearch In Aus still see concussions but often linked to poor tackling technique. #SportsSafety

Dr. Amber Shipherd ‏@DocShipherd
@SportsSafety Many college teams I’ve consulted w/ don’t have one…sometimes included in coach educ but not for club coaches #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
We are winding down this evening’s #SportsSafety chat, but feel free to keep those tweets rolling! And many thanks for everyone who joined.

Alasdair Dempsey ‏@ARDempsey
I am not aware of any specific Rugby injury prevention programs. Tackling and Scrum techniqe imortant. #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
We are back November 13th at 9 PM ET to talk #football injury prevention. Tweet us your questions ahead of time! #SportsSafety

Alasdair Dempsey ‏@ARDempsey
Tweeking programs such as FIFA 11+ would work for general lower limb injuries as mechanism the same #SportsSafety

Kenneth L Cameron ‏@WPOrthoResearch
@SportsSafety Thanks for sponsoring and coordinating! #SportsSafety

emilio corinaldesi ‏@ecorinaldesi
“@ARDempsey: I am not aware of any specific Rugby injury prevention programs.Tackling and Scrum techniqe imortant. #SportsSafety” @martubb1

Nick Burger ‏@it_was_burger
@ARDempsey @SportsSafety we will be validating a novel tackle device as an intervention, may enhance skill, reduce risk #SportsSafety

Nick Burger ‏@it_was_burger
@SportsSafety SA Rugby Union and @BokSmart ensure medical support to all players at annual youth week tournaments #SportsSafety

Nick Burger ‏@it_was_burger
@SportsSafety @BokSmart prgrm aims to make rugby safer + enhance chance of successful outcome for all players in South Africa #SportsSafety

STOP Sports Injuries ‏@SportsSafety
And another special thanks to @KeatingSports and @DrDavidGeier for joining us on this great #rugby chat. #SportsSafety

Remember to join us for the #SportsSafety tweetchats! If you are interested, follow me on Twitter and follow STOP Sports Injuries as well!