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Cervical Spine

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Sports-related Fractures, Dislocations and Trauma

Abstract

Sports-related cervical spine injuries are fortunately rare, but their consequences can be catastrophic. Cervical spine injuries account for a large portion of death and disability associated with sports injuries. Injuries are most commonly seen in football with highest rates reported in pole vaulting and cheerleading. Acute management of these injuries requires pre-competition planning, communication, and teamwork. All suspected cervical spine injuries should be immobilized and transported for further evaluation. Management of cervical fractures varies based on fracture location any type. Stable injuries may be treated conservatively with external immobilization; however unstable injuries require surgical stabilization. Return to play guidelines are based on expert opinion and should be handled on a case-by-case basis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT, USA

    Matthew G. Zmurko

  2. Concussion Clinic, Vermont Orthopaedic Clinic, Killington Medical Clinic, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT, USA

    Matthew Gammons

  3. Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA

    Morteza Khodaee

Authors
  1. Matthew G. Zmurko
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  2. Matthew Gammons
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  3. Morteza Khodaee
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Correspondence to Morteza Khodaee .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO, USA

    Morteza Khodaee

  2. Department of Emergency and Sports Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Anna L. Waterbrook

  3. Vermont Orthopedic Clinic, Rutland, VT, USA

    Matthew Gammons

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Zmurko, M.G., Gammons, M., Khodaee, M. (2020). Cervical Spine. In: Khodaee, M., Waterbrook, A., Gammons, M. (eds) Sports-related Fractures, Dislocations and Trauma. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36790-9_30

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