{"id":"862a5718-e16d-4077-b251-489ea43922d7","slug":"treatment-strategies-for-managing-cervical-spine-injuries-in-rugby-players","title":"Treatment strategies for managing cervical spine injuries in rugby players","authors":["Ratko Yurac","Juan Jose Zamorano","Guisela Quinteros","Guillermo Izquierdo","Felipe Novoa","Rocío Brañes","Manuel Valencia","Alvaro Silva","Bartolomé Marré"],"abstract":"Background: Cervical spine fractures are potentially catastrophic injuries in rugby players. Here, we reviewed seven patients who sustained rugby-related cervical spine fractures. Notably, three of seven fractures were missed on initial X-rays, but were ultimately documented on CT studies obtained an average of 10 days later. Methods: Seven patients sustained cervical spine fracture attributed to rugby (2009–2016) and were followed an average of 52 posttrauma months. Most injuries occurred at the C6-C7 level, and six of seven patients required surgery. Further, only two of seven patients exhibited resultant neurological deficits (e.g., one myelopathy and one radiculopathy). Results: Although the rugby injury was sufficiently documented on initial X-rays in four patients, three initial X-rays missed fractures, which were documented on the CT studies obtained an average of 10 days later. Conclusion: Rugby-related cervical fractures must be considered where players continue to complain of pain following trauma. Notably, routine X-rays may miss fractures in 3 of 7 cases (43%), thus warranting supplemental CT examinations to definitively rule out fractures.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/862a5718-e16d-4077-b251-489ea43922d7/featured/hero-1781562812810.png","publishDate":"2021-01-05T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_794_2020","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/10509/SNI-12-6.pdf"}