Best Practice Case Studies-C-spine Strain/Sprain

Pdf Summary

The document provides information on cervical strains and sprains, common neck injuries in sports, and is authored by Dr. Kris Fayock for the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM). AMSSM, with its 2,500 sports medicine physicians, focuses on education, research, advocacy, and the care of athletes across various levels, including youth, college, and professional sports.<br /><br />A cervical strain or sprain involves injury to the muscles or ligaments of the neck, often resulting from sports collisions, falls, or impacts to the head. These injuries are prevalent in sports like football, ice hockey, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer. Symptoms typically include soreness, stiffness, spasms, or tightness in the neck, without complicating factors like numbness or weakness that could indicate nerve or disc involvement.<br /><br />The evaluation of such injuries involves a physical examination by a sports medicine physician, who checks neck movement, pain location, and muscle spasms. A neurological exam ensures there’s no nerve injury, and an X-ray may be ordered to exclude severe injuries.<br /><br />Treatment depends on severity; options include pain management with anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxers, and possibly physical therapy for more severe pain. Home exercises are advised for mild cases. If there's no improvement, an MRI might be conducted to check for disc or nerve damage.<br /><br />Preventive measures emphasize proper form in collision sports, especially avoiding head-first impacts. Returning to play is contingent on pain control and full recovery of neck strength and mobility.<br /><br />This guidance underscores the importance of proper diagnosis and management to safely return athletes to their sports activities.

Meta Tag

Edition 2nd Edition

Related Case 2nd Edition, CASE 52

Topic Spine

Keywords

2nd Edition, CASE 52

2nd Edition

Spine

cervical strains

cervical sprains

neck injuries

sports medicine

AMSSM

athlete care

injury evaluation

treatment options

preventive measures

return to play