It goes without saying that spine injuries are some of the most crippling injuries limiting the performance of an athlete. Sports expose athletes to the risk of suffering from spinal injuries, and in the United States, approximately 8.7% of all spinal cord injuries come from sports-related accidents or incidents.

This post will illustrate the most common spine injuries in sports and how to treat them.

What are the Types of Spinal Injuries?

Spinal injuries involve specific damage to the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that run down the middle of the back, sending electrical signals from the brain to the body and vice-versa. Spinal injuries vary in their severity and may result in life-altering outcomes like paralysis.

Familiarization with the different types of spinal injuries and their various effects, to accord the best care possible to a person who has been involved in an accident, is important.

The common types of spinal cord injuries that occur in sportspeople are the following.

Fractures/ Dislocations

Fractures or dislocations happen when there’s a sudden, traumatic force to the neck or back, like a car crash or a fall. These injuries create a displacement of the spine at certain points, resulting in limitations to the victim’s range of motion and they may experience sharp pain due to trapped nerves, damaged discs, or fractured vertebrae.

Compression Injuries

This type of neck and back injury involves crushing of the vertebrae and discs in the spine, usually un the lower or upper spine. Most times, the cause is direct pressure, due to a direct impact on the spine using an object; this is common among whiplash victims of car accidents.

Flexion Injuries

These are age-related injuries caused when the spine bends too far and the vertebrae fracture. This phenotype of injury mostly occurs among athletes where high-impact bending activities are engaged, such as in football.

Traction Injuries

It is an injury that happens with over-stretching of the spine and, therefore, may relate to too little abdominal support for the spine during swimming or diving.

Whatever the cause, spinal injuries can change one’s life. Whether you or a loved one has been in an accident where a spine injury might have occurred, immediate care by a specialist of the spine is important.

What are the Most Common Spine Injuries Among Athletes?

Even committed professional athletes may find their careers come to an end after sustaining a severe spinal injury. The pain caused by the problem makes training unbearable, and competition a far-off through. While it’s possible to recover, many athletes will never get back to their peak performance level before the injury.

Most sports demand some kind of physical activity; however, some kinds of sportive activities place a greater risk of developing an injury of the spine. Football, MMA, and even golf, can adversely affect spinal health, leading to injuries with career-ending complications.

Common spinal injuries found in competitive and amateur athletes include the following conditions.

Herniated Discs

One of the most common spine injuries across all sports categories is lumbar disc herniation. The lumbar spine is the lower spinal area, and its job is to support upright posture and the hips. The lower back can take some abuse, but carrying heavy loads can result in herniations. It’s a common problem seen on powerlifters who squat or deadlift big weight. The problem may cause aching sharp lower back pains and can further lead to even weakness in the legs.

Cervical Radiculopathy

This condition involves the compression of the nerve roots exiting the spinal cord in the neck. It’s a progressive injury, or it can occur suddenly, resulting in the onset of nerve issues like shooting pains along the arms, tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers, or neck pain.

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which there is a slippage of an already worn-out spinal bone, shifting out of place and transferring stress to adjacent vertebrae. It usually causes localized back pain to the lumbar region of the spine, resulting in pain that radiates through the glutes, back, and hamstrings.

Thoracolumbar Fractures

Generally speaking, thoracolumbar fractures are a fracture located in the mid-to-lower back region. Such a fracture might be caused by a direct blow to this section of the spine, usually occurring in contact sports like football or hockey. Doctor’s will immobilize the spine so the patient can experience proper healing.

How are Spinal Injuries Treated?

The different treatments are tailored to minimize and relieve pain, offering a better function that allows the patient to lead a more comfortable and healthy lifestyle.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be a very important part of spinal injury care because it strengthens the area around an injury, increases flexibility, and builds range of motion. Specific exercises will be prescribed for the patient that may improve balance and general mobility.

Medicine

This may be necessary in order to avoid further injury to the spinal column and tissues. Strategies may involve medication, such as NSAIDs and opioids, which could reduce swelling and pain. Invasive interventions, including steroid injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation, may also be conducted to further alleviate symptoms in a more selective and focused manner.

Surgery

The modern medical era of advanced technology means that practices like Advanced Pain and Spine have a range of treatments to suit a wide array of sports-related spinal injuries. From spinal cord stimulation to kyphoplasty, they have medical professionals ready to help.

Care Post-Surgery

Treatment of spinal injury focuses on the moderation of pain, optimization of joint and muscular function, and prevention of further insult. It is to this end that an occupational or physical therapist will work with their respective patients in devising a personalized rehabilitation exercise plan, perhaps including recommendations on lifestyle modification and additional treatments/therapies.

Spinal injuries are difficult to cure, but a majority of suffering patients can find relief with right support and treatments. Since treatments often prove to be very patient-specific, the success rate of any treatment of spinal injury varies from case to case. Recovery potential can be maximized by seeking treatment with an experienced medical team and following instructions as prescribed.