Sideline and Ringside Evaluation for Brain and Spinal Injuries
Sideline and Ringside Evaluation for Brain and Spinal Injuries
Participation in contact and collision sports carries an inherent risk of injury to the athlete, with damage to the nervous system producing the most potential for significant morbidity and death. Neurological injuries suffered during athletic competition must be treated promptly and correctly to optimize outcome, and differentiation between minor and serious damage is the foundation of sideline/ringside management of the injury. In this article the authors present a guide to the sideline or ringside identification and management of head and spinal injuries.
Articipation in contact and collision sports in vol ves an inherent risk of injury to the athlete, with injuries to the nervous system bearing the most pot ential for significant morbidity and death. In fact, head and neck injuries account for up to 70% of deaths from trauma and 20% of cases of permanent disability in athletes, and have been described in virtually every sport. This associa tion often necessitates involvement of the neurosurgical community in the field of sports medicine.
Differentiation between minor and serious damage is the foundation of sideline/ringside management of the injury. A seemingly minor blow to the head can result in a slowly developing SDH, whereas, paradoxically, a more severe impact can cause LOC but only a "minor" concussion. This article can be used as a guide to the sideline or ringside identification and management of head and spinal injuries.
Summary and Introduction
Summary
Participation in contact and collision sports carries an inherent risk of injury to the athlete, with damage to the nervous system producing the most potential for significant morbidity and death. Neurological injuries suffered during athletic competition must be treated promptly and correctly to optimize outcome, and differentiation between minor and serious damage is the foundation of sideline/ringside management of the injury. In this article the authors present a guide to the sideline or ringside identification and management of head and spinal injuries.
Introduction
Articipation in contact and collision sports in vol ves an inherent risk of injury to the athlete, with injuries to the nervous system bearing the most pot ential for significant morbidity and death. In fact, head and neck injuries account for up to 70% of deaths from trauma and 20% of cases of permanent disability in athletes, and have been described in virtually every sport. This associa tion often necessitates involvement of the neurosurgical community in the field of sports medicine.
Differentiation between minor and serious damage is the foundation of sideline/ringside management of the injury. A seemingly minor blow to the head can result in a slowly developing SDH, whereas, paradoxically, a more severe impact can cause LOC but only a "minor" concussion. This article can be used as a guide to the sideline or ringside identification and management of head and spinal injuries.