Neurologic injuries in hockey
Richard A Wennberg1, Howard B Cohen, Stephanie R Walker
1Division of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, 399 Bathurst Street, 5W444, Toronto, ON, Canada M5T 2S8. r.wennberg@utoronto.ca <r.wennberg@utoronto.ca>
Neurologic Clinics
|February 26, 2008
Summary
Ice hockey carries risks for neurologic injuries, including a significant danger of concussion and a rare but severe risk of cervical spinal cord injury.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Ice hockey is a high-speed contact sport with inherent risks.
- Neurologic injuries are a significant concern in hockey players.
- Previous literature highlights various injury patterns in the sport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize neurologic injuries in ice hockey.
- To identify the most critical neurologic risks based on scientific literature.
- To provide an overview of head and spinal cord trauma in the sport.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of reported neurologic injuries in ice hockey.
- Analysis of injury data from scientific publications.
- Synthesis of findings on concussion and spinal cord injuries.
Main Results:
- Concussions are highly prevalent among ice hockey players.
- Catastrophic cervical spinal cord injuries, though rare, represent a serious risk.
- Neurologic trauma is a key concern in the sport.
Conclusions:
- Concussions and cervical spinal cord injuries are the primary neurologic concerns in ice hockey.
- Awareness and prevention strategies for these injuries are crucial.
- Further research may inform better protective measures and protocols.
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