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Falling for sport: a case report of skydiving and SCI
Stephan M Esser1, Jennifer Baima, Ronald Hirschberg
1Department of Sports Medicine Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA. esser.stephan@mayo.edu
Current Sports Medicine Reports
|January 15, 2013
Summary
Extreme sports participation is rising. A skydiving injury case highlights varied spinal cord injury risks, emphasizing the need for sports medicine awareness in air sports.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Traumatology
Background:
- Extreme sports participation has grown significantly over the past 25 years.
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can occur in both traditional and extreme sports, but risk, location, and severity differ by activity.
- Awareness of sport-specific injury patterns is crucial for prevention and management.
Observation:
- A case study details a 31-year-old male who sustained an L1 burst fracture during his first skydiving jump.
- The patient presented with a mixed neurological deficit, including preserved lower extremity strength and impaired bowel/bladder function.
- This injury pattern is specific to the biomechanics of the event.
Findings:
- Skydiving, an air sport, poses unique risks for spinal cord injury.
- L1 burst fractures can result from high-impact landings in skydiving.
- Neurological deficits can vary, affecting bowel and bladder control while sparing some motor function.
Implications:
- Sports medicine professionals must recognize the specific risks associated with air sports and extreme sports.
- Enhanced understanding of skydiving-related injuries can improve patient outcomes.
- Proactive injury prevention strategies and tailored management protocols are essential for participants in high-risk activities.
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