TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2010//
TI  - The cervical spine of professional front-row rugby players: correlation between degenerative changes and symptoms
JO  - Irish journal of medical science
A1  - Hogan, B. A.
A1  - Hogan, N. A.
A1  - Vos, P. M.
A1  - Eustace, S. J.
A1  - Kenny, P. J.
SP  - 259
EP  - 263
VL  - 179
IS  - 2
N2  - BACKGROUND: Injuries to the cervical spine (C-spine) are among the most serious in rugby and are well documented. Front-row players are particularly at risk due to repetitive high-intensity collisions in the scrum. <br><br>AIM: This study evaluates degenerative changes of the C-spine and associated symptomatology in front-row rugby players. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: C-spine radiographs from 14 professional rugby players and controls were compared. Players averaged 23 years of playing competitive rugby. Two consultant radiologists performed a blind review of radiographs evaluating degeneration of disc spaces and apophyseal joints. Clinical status was assessed using a modified AAOS/NASS/COSS cervical spine outcomes questionnaire. <br><br>RESULTS: Front-row rugby players exhibited significant radiographic evidence of C-spine degenerative changes compared to the non-rugby playing controls (P < 0.005). Despite these findings the rugby players did not exhibit increased symptoms. <br><br>CONCLUSION: This highlights the radiologic degenerative changes of the C-spine of front-row rugby players. However, these changes do not manifest themselves clinically or affect activities of daily living.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0021-1265
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-009-0432-3
ID  - ref1
ER  -