Cervical Spine Injuries in Athletes

Spinal injuries account for 2 to 3% of all athletic injuries. Of the 7000 to 10,000 spinal cord injuries that occur each year in the United States, up to 15% occur during athletic activities. Certain mechanisms and injury patterns can be identified. A team effort on the part of coaches, trainers, and physicians can prevent first-time and repeat injuries. Proper management of the injury can minimize morbidity. Awareness of these potentially catastrophic injuries should promote ongoing education and training of techniques for injury prevention, assurance of appropriate on-the-field management of injuries, definitive management, and return to play guidelines. KEYWORDS Spinal injuries - athletics - prevention - disc herniation - spinal cord injury