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Current thinking: return to play and transient quadriplegia.

Robert V Cantu¹, Robert C Cantu

¹Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03755, USA.

Current Sports Medicine Reports

|January 22, 2005

Summary

Athletes experiencing transient quadriplegia face a critical decision about returning to contact sports. Physicians must identify those at higher risk for re-injury based on specific factors.

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Area of Science:

Neurology
Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

Contact and collision sports carry inherent risks of serious athletic injuries.
Transient quadriplegia, a temporary loss of function, presents a complex challenge for athletes and physicians regarding return-to-play decisions.

Observation:

Athletes' decisions to return to sport after transient quadriplegia vary, ranging from voluntary withdrawal to a strong desire to compete.
Physicians play a crucial role in evaluating these athletes to determine the risk of future injury.

Findings:

Key factors influencing the decision for athletes to discontinue contact sports include the mechanism of injury.
A prior history of neurological symptoms or injury is a significant consideration.
Anatomic predispositions, such as cervical stenosis, disc herniation, or fractures, increase the risk of further injury.

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Implications:

Identifying at-risk athletes is essential for preventing catastrophic outcomes in contact sports.
This evaluation aids in informed medical guidance for athletes with a history of transient quadriplegia.
Understanding these risk factors supports safer return-to-play protocols in sports medicine.