Return to Play After Injuries to the Cervical Spine

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Neurology

Background:

• Return to play (RTP) after traumatic cervical spine injuries is critical for elite athletes.
• Balancing early RTP incentives with patient safety requires thorough clinical understanding.
• Cervical spine injuries pose unique challenges in sports medicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review common cervical spine injuries in contact sports.
• To summarize current guidelines for RTP after cervical spine injuries.
• To highlight the variability in clinical decision-making for RTP.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of sports-related cervical spine injuries.
• Analysis of existing RTP guidelines and recommendations.
• Discussion of factors influencing RTP decisions.

Main Results:

• Common cervical spine injuries in contact sports are identified.
• General RTP criteria include being asymptomatic, neurologically intact, and having full range of motion.
• Factors like injury severity, history, and persistent symptoms significantly modify RTP recommendations.

Conclusions:

• Despite available guidelines, there is a lack of consensus among physicians regarding RTP after cervical spine injuries.
• Clinical judgment is paramount for making conservative decisions and ensuring athlete safety.
• Individualized assessment is crucial for safe return to play protocols.