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Football protective gear and cervical spine imaging.
R M Davidson1, J H Burton, M Snowise
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME 04102, USA.
Annals of Emergency Medicine
|June 26, 2001
Summary
Football protective gear significantly hinders cervical spine X-ray visualization. Guidelines should mandate equipment removal before imaging to ensure accurate radiographic evaluation of players.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Cervical spine injuries are a concern in football.
- Radiographic evaluation is crucial for diagnosing these injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of football protective gear on cervical spine radiographic quality in adult males.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, matched-pairs observational study.
- Cervical spine radiographs taken with and without protective gear (pads group vs. no pads group).
- Radiographs reviewed by emergency physicians and neuroradiologists for adequate visualization to C7-T1 and odontoid structures.
Main Results:
- Adequate visualization of cross-table lateral structures was 0% with pads vs. 25-40% without (reviewer unanimity/majority).
- Adequate visualization of open-mouth odontoid structures was 25-35% with pads vs. 45-75% without (reviewer unanimity/majority).
- Protective gear significantly impeded radiographic visualization.
Conclusions:
- Football protective equipment hinders cervical spine radiographic evaluation.
- Guidelines should include removing protective gear before initial cervical spine imaging.