Spinal Fractures Incurred by Sports-Related Injuries

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Sports injuries are a significant cause of spine fractures.
• Characteristics of sports-related spinal fractures differ from other causes.
• Limited data exists on patient demographics and fracture patterns in sports injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the management and outcomes of sports-related spinal fractures.
• To analyze patient demographics and injury characteristics.
• To identify common sports associated with spinal fractures.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients with sports-related spinal fractures.
• Data collected from January 2011 to December 2016 at a UK major trauma center.
• Analysis of demographics, injury severity, treatment, complications, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• 122 patients sustained 230 sports-related spinal fractures.
• Horse riding, cycling, and boating were the most frequent associated sports.
• 13.9% of fractures involved neurologic injury; 19.6% required surgical management.

Conclusions:

• Horse riding, cycling, and boating are primary sports linked to spinal fractures.
• Nonoperative management is the predominant approach for these injuries.
• Evidence-based guidelines for managing sports-related spinal fractures are needed.