Congenital Spine malformations and sports implications

Abstract

Congenital spinal abnormalities can have significant implications for an adolescent in sports, as the geometry and stability of their spine can be profoundly altered. This group of disorders includes spinal anomalies due to structural abnormalities of one or many vertebrae (and/or ribs) that are present from birth. The precise cause of congenital spinal abnormalities is still unclear. There are at least 36 clinical syndromes associated with congenital vertebral anomalies (Chan G and Dormans, Spine, 34(17):1766-74, 2009). Many of these syndromes can be so clinically devastating that they may preclude the possibility of athletic participation. This chapter will focus on isolated congenital vertebral malformations and more benign syndromes, such as congenital scoliosis and Klippel-Feil syndrome, which should be expected with a modest frequency in athletes.