Sports-Related Spine Injuries

The Four Most Common Sports-Related Spine Injuries By Jordan Sudberg

The injuries to the spinal cord can arise from damage to discs, ligaments, and vertebrae in the spinal column and to the spinal cord itself.

A severe spinal cord injury may result from a sudden and traumatic hit to your spine that breaks, dislocates, shatters, or becomes compressed by one or several vertebrae. It may also occur due to an injury from a knife or gun that cuts and penetrates the spinal cord.

Damage To The Spinal Cord:

It can occur in a few days or weeks due to swelling, bleeding, and inflammation. It can also result in fluid accumulation around the spinal cord.

A non-traumatic spinal cord injury may result from cancer, arthritis inflammation, infections, or disk degeneration in the spine.

Injury and sports go hand-in-hand. However, one of the most effective ways to safeguard themselves is to remain educated and aware. Every sports-related injury is serious; however, none are more severe than those involving the spine. The most commonly reported are:

Lumbar Spine Injuries In Sports:

The pain in the lower back is one of the most frequent complaints among athletes of any level. Some injuries are specific to sports and treatments that healthcare professionals could utilize to identify the causes of injuries and treatment options for various types of athletes. 

As of now, there is there has been no comprehensive overview of lumbar spinal injuries during sports available in the literature. Consequently, healthcare professionals must be aware of particular injuries associated with sport and the treatments for those with back pain after an injury sustained during athletics. 

Satisfy The Requirements Of The Athlete:

The mechanisms for injury were found to vary significantly by sport. However, some general guidelines can be offered regarding the most effective treatment of these injuries and returning to play. In addition, it was observed that specific methods were more effective and resulted in more excellent rates of returning to play according to the sport played by the injured player. Healthcare providers must know the various injuries that occur in a particular sport to assess and treat these injuries. Additionally, a customized treatment plan should be developed in a specific sports setting to satisfy the athlete’s short- and long-term requirements.

Cervical (Neck) Stingers:

Stingers are typically seen in collision or contact sports.

If an athlete’s head is pushed back or toward the other side, cervical nerves may compress or over-stretch. It leads to pain that can radiate through one arm. The injured athletes describe the discomfort in terms of the sensation of an “electric shock” that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.

The Mechanism Of Injury That Causes The Cervical Stinger:

Dr. Jordan Sudberg explains that the most effective way to avoid stinging is to follow a thorough exercise program that focuses on strengthening cervical ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Furthermore, suitable techniques for sports are vital. Footballers who tackle and block correctly generally don’t have issues with stingers.

The Vertebral Strain Fracture:

The most common symptoms of a vertebral stress fracture include swelling, pain, and bleeding. The most effective way to lessen symptoms and avoid future fractures is to stay clear of over-training or consult a chiropractor. Whenever you notice any signs ignoring them signs is likely to make the situation worse.

Lower Back Strains And Sprains:

The most frequent cases are gymnasts, weightlifters, and golfer’s muscles in the lower back, and ligament sprains may limit athletic performance. Dr. Jordan Sudberg explains symptoms including swelling, pain, bruising, and weakening. If not treated, symptoms gradually worsen and can even cause the athlete to be sidelined.

The most effective preventative measure athletes can adopt is to take part in a complete exercise program designed to stretch and strengthen their lower back.

Herniated Discs:

Athletes flex their spines at varying levels during training and competition. When the body turns or rotates while the spine is flexing, it puts a considerable load on the intervertebral disks. The overloaded discs can start to “slip” and result in an injury referred to as herniated discs. The most common causes of damage include:

  1. Overtraining
  2. Incorrect muscle balance
  3. Poor technique
  4. Overexertion

A herniated disc can compress the spinal cord and triggers numerous uncomfortable symptoms. The symptoms include tenderness and numbness or pain in the extremities or spine. An orthopaedic surgeon determines treatment, and sometimes surgery may require.

Professional Treatment:

The neurosurgeon can be the ideal medical professional to see in the event of a sports-related spine injury. If you’ve sustained any of the injuries mentioned above.

The injuries can affect women or individuals of different races differently because of the various bone structures. Therefore, more studies must understand how sports-related spinal injuries impact these populations. The study also included injuries sustained in the US and could not accurately reflect the road conditions of many countries. The number of injuries, as well as the consequences, could differ.