Citation

Drakos MC, Feeley BT, Barnes R, Muller M, Burruss TP, Warren RF. Neurosurgery 2011; 68(6): E1743-8; discussion E1748-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Congress of Neurological Surgeons)

DOI

10.1227/NEU.0b013e31821815af

PMID

21389890

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:: Injuries in professional football players are common due to the nature of the collisions, and the frequency of axial loading to the cervical spine. These injuries should be thoroughly evaluated, as they can put the player at risk for future injury and even paralysis. The focus of this article is to present two cases of this injury and review the current body of literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION:: We present two cases of professional football players who suffered injuries to the lower posterior elements of their cervical spine simultaneously on a kickoff during a game. Both players described transient symptoms consistent with a 'stinger', which is commonly encountered.Work-up revealed fractures of the lower cervical spine in both patients. One patient was able to be managed conservatively and returned to football the following season. The second case had an unstable fracture that ultimately required operative intervention and the patient retired from professional football. CONCLUSION:: Cervical spine injuries in football players need to be adequately evaluated and in many cases can be career-threatening. We recommend that players with persistent pain after a transient neurapraxia receive radiographs and CT of the cervical spine to evaluate for a fracture.

Keywords: American football;

Language: en