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Related Concept Videos

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology01:14

Spinal Cord Injury ll: Pathophysiology

Spinal cord injury progresses through two interconnected phases: primary injury and secondary injury.Primary InjuryPrimary injury happens at the moment of trauma and involves immediate mechanical damage to the spinal cord.Compression happens when broken vertebrae, herniated discs, or accumulating blood (such as a hematoma) press directly against the spinal cord, distorting its normal shape and function. In cases of contusion, the cord is bruised by a blunt force (like penetrating injuries or...
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology01:25

Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

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Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...

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A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
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Published on: September 25, 2014

Spinal injuries in sports.

Barry P Boden1, Christopher G Jarvis

  • 1The Orthopaedic Center, 9711 Medical Center Drive #201, Rockville, MD 20850, USA. bboden@alum.haverford.edu

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America
|December 17, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sports activities cause nearly 9% of new spinal cord injuries in the US. High-risk sports like football and hockey can lead to severe cervical spine injuries, requiring immediate medical stabilization plans.

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Area of Science:

  • Sports medicine
  • Neurology
  • Trauma care

Background:

  • Athletic competition is a significant cause of spinal injuries.
  • Sports activities account for approximately 8.7% of new spinal cord injuries in the US.
  • High-risk sports include football, ice hockey, wrestling, diving, skiing, snowboarding, rugby, and cheerleading.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the risk of catastrophic spinal injuries in sports.
  • To emphasize the mechanism of injury (axial compression).
  • To stress the importance of medical preparedness for cervical spine injuries in athletes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on sports-related spinal injuries.
  • Analysis of injury statistics related to athletic participation.
  • Identification of high-risk sports and injury mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Sports account for a substantial percentage of new spinal cord injuries.
  • Specific sports activities carry a higher risk of severe injury.
  • Axial compression to the head is a critical mechanism leading to cervical fracture and quadriplegia.

Conclusions:

  • Medical personnel must have a plan for stabilizing and transferring athletes with suspected cervical spine injuries.
  • Awareness and preparedness are crucial for mitigating the impact of sports-related spinal trauma.
  • Preventative measures and rapid response protocols are essential in high-risk athletic environments.