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Sports-related Neck Injury

Sports-related Neck Injury


Sports can cause neck injuries of various levels of severity, ranging from minor injuries like muscles strains to life-threatening injuries like neck fractures and cervical cord injuries. A broken (broken) neck is an extremely serious problem; however, in most instances, patients complete a full recovery and resume all neurological functions. On the other hand, a neck injury can cause the spinal cord to be completely injured that can cause some form of paralysis or even death.Sarwarpro provide best sport physiotherapist in delhi.



Although serious cervical injuries can occur during sports, the frequency of fatal cases has declined over the past decade because of better protection equipment, better awareness, better coaching, and rules changes. These injuries could be experienced by athletes in contact sports like American soccer, football, and rugby, as in non-contact sports like cycling and gymnastics.

The injuries to the cervical region that result from playing in sports may be classified into the following conditions:

  • Dislocations and fractures of the cervical region

  • The brachial plexus and nerves traumas

  • Intervertebral disc lesions

  • Cervical Stenosis

  • An acute cervical strain or sprain, including whiplash injury

  • Transient quadriplegia

The vertebral column, also known as the spine, is a component of the axial skeleton. It is the most structurally vital part of our body. The neck region is home to the cervical part, the vertebral column comprising seven bones (C1-C7 vertebrae) separated from each other by intervertebral discs. These discs permit spinal vertebrae to rotate around freely and serve as shock absorbers when we are active. In addition, the strength of muscles and flexible joints and ligaments spinal column allows us to stand up straight, bend, twist, and bend. The spinal cord, a fragile nerve tissue that connects the brain with the body, is situated in the center of the cervical spine and is secured with bony vertebral structures.

The cervical spine is designed to support the head’s weight and allows for flexibility in doing a variety of head movements. The head’s movement is possible because of the particularization of the first two vertebrae (C1 and C2) that connect directly to the skull. One vertebra (C1) or the “atlas” is the highest vertebrae that permit the motion of yes or no by connecting to the atlantooccipital joints as the vertebrae behind (C2) (also known as “axis” allows side-to-side or no motion, by pivoting around the atlantoaxial joint.

Cervical Fractures and Dislocation

A cervical fracture refers to a break within one of the cervical vertebrae or bones in the neck. Cervical dislocation is an injury to ligaments in the neck that can cause two cervical vertebrae to dissociate from one.

A sudden, severe neck twist or an intense hit to the neck or head area could result in a neck fracture. Activities involving physical contact have a higher chance of a fractured neck, including football, ice hockey, wrestling, and rugby. In football, kicking an opponent or rugby may result in an injury to the neck, as can other non-contact activities such as gymnastics, for example, if a gymnast is unable to reach the high bar in an exercise and then falls. The cervical spine absorbs the impact of the collision and disperses the forces through muscles, intervertebral discs, and the bones that run along the C-spine curvature. When the neck is bent, such as spear-tackling, the forces cause an abnormal axial load on support structures, resulting in a tear of bones or ligaments.

Anyone suffering from a neck injury shouldn’t be moved without medical treatment and should be sought out immediately. This is crucial because maintaining the stabilization of the cervical spine is vital to avoid more injury. In addition, when an injury to the neck or head has occurred, it’s crucial to be aware that there is a possibility for a fracture to the neck.

Signs and Symptoms

  • Neck pain that is localized and could be serious

  • Neck stiffness

  • The pain radiates from the neck to the shoulders or arms

  • Swelling and bruises

  • Tenderness

  • Sensibility decreases in the legs, arms, or body.

  • The weakness of the muscles or paralysis of the legs or arms

  • Top Sports Contributing to SCI

  • Divers: 1,772 males. 160 females, which is 1932

  • Bicycling 564 males, 496 females = 564 males. females = 564

  • All Terrain-Vehicle/All Terrain Cycle (ATV/ATC) 218 males 37 females, 525

  • Football: 153 males = 153

  • The Snow-Skiing team: 170 males 19 females, which is 189

  • The Horseback Ride: 76 males females 77, which is 53

  • Winter Sports: 135 males, 30 females = 165

  • Other Sports Males: 126, females: 29 females = 155.

  • Surfing (including body surfing): 140 males, 6 females = 146

  • Wrestling: 94 males, 2 females = 96

  • Trampoline: 68 males, 8 females = 76

  • Gymnastics: 38 males, 21 females = 59

  • Snowmobiles The number of males: 48 and 9 females equals 57

  • Field sports: 44 males 2 females = 46

  • Hang Gliding Hang Gliding: 40 males, two females = 42

  • Baseball: 23 males. One female, which is 24

  • Basketball: 15 males = 15

  • Skateboarding = 8 males. One female is 9

  • Track and field Track and field: Six males equals six

  • SCI Demographics

  • A total of 10.1 percent of all SCIs can be attributed to sports.

  • Of the reported 33,406 SCIs, the total number of 3,367 were related to sports.

  • Three thousand cases were reported in males, while 364 cases were recorded in females.

  • 84.9 percent of all SCIs related to sports resulted in Tetraplegia.

  • SCI related to sports at the time of injury

  • Ages 0–15: 24.1%

  • Ages 16–30: 14.2%

  • Ages 31–45: 7.3%

  • Ages 46–60: 4.5%

  • Ages 61–75: 2.8%

  • Ages 76–98: 0.9%

  • Source: The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, NSCISC 2018. Annual Statistical Report and Facts at a Glance, January 2019.

  • Testing and Diagnosis

  • A neck injury resulting from sports should be handled with high caution for serious injuries such as neck fractures. An injury to the neck or spine injury can be considered a medical emergency. An athlete should not be able to return to their sport or activity until their physician clears them and their strength is back at the pre-injury level. The patient must undergo a complete neurological examination whenever possible to determine whether there is a possibility of damage to the spinal cord. A doctor’s specialization basing on the incident symptoms, physical examination, and the results of radiological tests. This includes any of these:

  • Computed Tomography Scan (CT also known as CT scan): A diagnostic image created when the computer has read X-rays. It can reveal the size and shape of the canal and its contents, and the structures surrounding it.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic test that computer technology creates three-dimensional pictures of body structures made of powerful magnets. It can show the spinal cord and nerve roots and the surrounding areas and the growth, degeneration, and tumors.

  • X-ray uses radiation to create images or films of a portion of the body. It can reveal the anatomy and alignment of vertebrae and the shape of joints.

  • Treatment

  • The treatment options differ based on the following elements:

  • The degree of the fracture

  • If there is an underlying instability or dislocation

  • Which cervical bones have been fractured?

  • In the event of an injury to the spinal cord or nerve and muscle weakness, or paralysis

  • Minor (compression) injury is typically treated using a cervical collar or brace that is worn for 6–8 weeks until the bone heals by itself. A more serious or intricate fracture might require surgical or traction such as spinal instrumentation or fusion, or with or without surgical decompression.

  • The surgical decompression of the spinal cord occurs when an injury is sustained; however, the time frame for the procedure varies. The surgery is performed to remove various tissue or bone fragments, causing pressure and damage to the spine. Based on the particular conditions of the injury, decompression is achieved using different surgical methods that include, for instance, the approach to the injured spinal cord either from the front (anterior) or from the rear (posterior). In recent years, it is becoming more apparent that stabilization and decompression for patients suffering from SCI must be done immediately when medically feasible and safe.

  • Sarwarpro provide best sport physiotherapist in delhi.

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