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Spinal cord concussion in rugby players
1Department of Radiology, University of Stellenbosch Tygerberg, Republic of South Africa.
The American Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Rugby players with transient paralysis after cervical spinal cord injury often have no visible spinal damage on X-rays. Some cases show subtle spinal stenosis or congenital issues, suggesting underlying vulnerabilities.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) in athletes, particularly rugby players, can result in varied neurological deficits.
- Transient paralysis, though less common, presents a diagnostic challenge due to the absence of clear radiological findings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze the clinical and radiological findings in rugby players who experienced transient paralysis after CSCI.
- To identify potential underlying cervical spine abnormalities that may predispose athletes to transient neurological deficits.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical data and cervical spine radiographs from 9 rugby players with transient paralysis.
- Radiographic assessment included evaluation for spinal stenosis (using the ratio method), congenital anomalies, and degenerative disk disease.
Main Results:
- Five of nine players exhibited maximal spinal canal narrowing at C-3 and C-4.
- One player showed osteoarthritic changes, and another had congenital vertebral fusion.
- Two players had no detectable radiological abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Subtle spinal canal narrowing or congenital anomalies may contribute to transient cord dysfunction in rugby players.
- The absence of overt radiographic injury does not exclude underlying cervical spine pathology in cases of transient paralysis.