Spine Injuries on the Field

Abstract

Athletic competition has long been a known source of spinal injuries. There is a wide range of spinal injury patterns which are related to sports activities. Failure to properly recognize and improper management of these injuries on the field may lead to devastating complications and may affect the athlete's future sports career and whole life. The most common spine inju-ries in athletics can be carefully managed with nonsurgical treatment. More serious spinal injuries, however, may require surgical treat-ment. Deciding whether and when to allow an athlete to return to play after a spine injury is unique for a particular player and sometimes can be challenging.