Spine Injuries Sports Med

Cervical Neck MOI Axial Load Flexion Hyperextension Rotation and Flexion Rotation and Hyper-flexion Lateral Flexion

Cervical Fracture Gymnasts, hockey, diving, football, rugby MOI S/S TX Relatively uncommon in athletics but you should always be prepared to handle the situation. MOI Axial loading and flexion, rotation, hyperextension S/S Most common in 4-6 cervical vertebrae Point tenderness, restricted movement Muscle spasms Numbness & pain in extremities, loss of bladder/bowel control TX Rule out spinal injury X-ray, refer to physician

Cervical Sprain Whiplash MOI Violent flexion, extension or rotation Affects anterior and posterior ligaments S/S Persistent, tender over transverse and spinous processes Pain occurs a day later TX Refer to rule out a fx Neurological exam PRICE, traction

Acute torticollis Wry Neck MOI Pain on one side of the neck upon waking up Synovial lining or capsule is pinched S/S Palpable pt. tenderness and muscle spasm Limited side flexion, and rotation TX X-ray, traction, AROM, PROM, modalities

Scheuermann’s Disease Thoracic Gymnastics, butterfly swimming MOI Kyphosis resulting from wedged fx of 3 or more vertebrae Causes nucleolus pulposis to enter into vertebrae S/S Kyphosis and lumbar lordosis but no pain Point tender over spinous processes and back ache at end of day TX Prevent progressive kyphosis Extension exercises, anti-inflammatory

Lumbar MOI Congenital Idiopathic Mechanical Present at birth Traumatic Overuse injury Strains, sprains

Lumbar Strain MOI S/S TX Sudden extension and rotation Faulty posture, excessive lumbar lordosis S/S Pain with active extension and passive flexion TX PRICE, elastic wrap to compress Stretching, strengthening exercises should not cause pain

Sciatica Inflammatory condition of the sciatic nerve MOI S/S TX Nerve compression, irregularities in vertebrae tight piriformis muscle S/S Acute or chronic Sharp shooting pain that follows the nerve pathway Straight leg raise increases pain TX Rest, traction (if necessary), stretching, NSAIDS

Spondylolysis MOI S/S TX Congenital degeneration of the vertebrae Appears as a stress fx, most common in boys S/S Asymptomatic until hyperextension or disk herniation TX Bracing, rest, stabilization exercises

Spondylolisthesis MOI S/S TX One vertebrae slipping on one below it A complication of spondy higher in girls S/S hyperlordosis TX Bracing, rest, stabilization exercises

Sacroiliac Pain MOI S/S TX Twisting with both feet on the ground Falling backward, landing heavily on one leg S/S Point tender on SI joint ASIS and PSIS may be asymmetrical Straight leg raise increases pain after 45 degrees Side bending toward the injury side increases pain TX Modalities, brace, strengthening, stretching, PRICE