Cervical vertebral dislocation in a rugby player with congenital vertebral fusion

Congenital cervical vertebral fusion is an anomaly which decreases the normal range of spinal movement and predisposes to trauma. The case history of a rugby player with a congenital fusion who sustained permanent quadriplegia after dislocation of the lower cervical spine is presented. The mechanism of injury is discussed. A plea is made for routine radiographic examination of the cervical spines of all rugby players in order to detect the presence of vertebral fusion and other conditions which may predispose to spinal trauma.