Best Practice Case Studies-Return to Play

Pdf Summary

Cervical spine injuries in athletes pose significant challenges and can arise from various sports activities, both contact and non-contact, including American football, rugby, wrestling, hockey, recreational diving, horseback riding, skiing, and snowboarding. These injuries, while often non-catastrophic, occur frequently and necessitate careful management to ensure safe Return to Play (RTP) for injured athletes.<br /><br />Catastrophic injuries, though rare, are reported in multiple sports and rank as a leading cause of spinal cord injuries in the U.S., particularly among young individuals. Non-catastrophic injuries are more prevalent and typically responsive to functional rehabilitation, allowing for an eventual RTP.<br /><br />RTP decisions, while straightforward for some cervical spine injuries, remain contentious for others. The complexity arises from varying injury mechanisms and the severity of the injuries. Clinical guidelines are being developed to aid in RTP decision-making, focusing on manageable injury cases, such as cervical fractures, stingers, cervical stenosis, cervical cord neuropraxia, and disc herniation.<br /><br />Key considerations include understanding injury mechanisms for cervical vertebral fractures and utilizing electrodiagnostic medicine in evaluating stingers. There is ongoing debate regarding the screening and management of cervical stenosis in athletes, assessing when RTP is safe. Furthermore, differentiating between relative and absolute contraindications for RTP post-cervical disc herniation is crucial for athlete safety.<br /><br />These guidelines and criteria aid clinicians in delivering safe and effective care for athletes with cervical spine injuries, balancing the need for recovery with athletic ambitions, ensuring that well-informed decisions are made regarding their health and sporting future.

Meta Tag

Edition 2nd Edition

Related Case 2nd Edition, CASE 51

Topic Spine

Keywords

2nd Edition, CASE 51

2nd Edition

Spine

cervical spine injuries

athletes

Return to Play

spinal cord injuries

functional rehabilitation

cervical fractures

stingers

cervical stenosis

disc herniation

clinical guidelines