Spinal Fractures Incurred by Sports-Related Injuries

Sports-related injuries are the third commonest cause of spine fractures. Spinal fractures incurred as a result of partaking in sport by their nature are different from those associated with frailty and road traffic accidents. The patient demographics and nature of fractures associated with sports activities are not well documented. We aim to describe the management and outcome of patients with a sports-related spine fracture in a single U.K. major trauma center in a 6-year time period.

Patients with sports-related spinal fractures were identified from the Trauma Audit and Research Network database at a U.K. major trauma center between January 2011 and December 2016. Patient notes were retrospectively reviewed for demographics, injury severity score, treatment, complications, and outcomes.

In the study period, 122 patients were admitted with a sports-related spinal fracture, sustaining a total of 230 fractures. Of these, 48 (20.9%) were in the cervical, 79 (34.3%) in the thoracic, and 103 (44.8%) in the lumbar regions. The sports most commonly associated with spinal fractures were horse riding (n = 55), cycling (n = 36), and boating (n = 10). Of the 230 fractures, 32 (13.9%) were associated with neurologic injury. Forty-five of the 230 fractures (19.6%) were managed surgically, and the remainder were managed conservatively.

Within our population, sports most commonly associated with spinal fractures were horse riding, cycling, and boating. The majority of cases were managed nonoperatively. Further research is required to establish evidence-based guidelines on the management of sports-related spinal fractures.