Browsing by Author "Scher, A. T."
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- ItemBodysurfing injuries of the spinal cord(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1995) Scher, A. T.In a group of 104 patients paralysed as a result of injury while swimming or diving, 3 patients were identified in whom the injury was sustained during bodysurfing. The mechanism of the injury and the clinical and radiological findings in this group differ markedly from the findings in the 101 patients paralysed after diving into shallow water. The 3 patients were significantly older with a mean age of 46 years. No fracture or dislocation of the cervical spine was present, but evidence of osteo-arthrosis was present in all cases. The pattern of spinal cord injury was that of incomplete paralysis consistent with the central cord syndrome. This combination of findings suggests that the mechanism of injury was forced hyperextension of the head and neck due to the surfers having been caught up in turbulent wave action and driven into the sandy sea bottom.
- ItemDiving injuries of the spinal cord(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1992) Scher, A. T.Diving injuries to the cervical spine and spinal cord are a serious medical problem with longterm social and economic consequences. The exact incidence of these injuries in South Africa is unknown. In the USA, it is estimated that I 800 serious diving injuries to the spine occur annually; diving accidents are therefore a major cause of spinal cord injury. It is probable that the actual incidence of diving injury is much higher, since many cases of death by 'accidental drowning' result from paralysis or unconsciousness. In addition to the incalculable human suffering, the economic consequences of these injuries are immense.
- ItemParalysis due to the high tackle : a black spot in South African rugby(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1991) Scher, A. T.The high tackle around the neck is illegal but still common place in South African rugby. An analysis of 40 rugby players who sustained spinal cord injury during the period 1985-1989 revealed that 8 were injured by a high tackle. The case histories and radiographs of these 8 players were analysed. The majority sustained flexion-rotation injuries after being tackled from the side. Another mechanism of injury was hyper-extension during a tackle from the rear. Disturbingly, 4 of the 8 players sustained complete permanent paralysis. This was consequent upon the orthopaedic injuries sustained - specifically facet dislocations or 'tear-drop' fractures, both injuries carrying with them a high risk of serious spinal cord injury. It is concluded that foul play in the form of the high tackle is still a major cause of serious spinal cord injury in South African rugby.
- ItemPremature onset of degenerative disease of the cervical spine in rugby players(Health & Medical Publishing Group, 1990) Scher, A. T.Rugby players and other individuals with the changes of degenerative disease of the cervical spine are at risk of spinal cord trauma after hyperextension injury. In an attempt to assess whether rugby players are prone to the development of premature degenerative disease, radiographs of the cervical spines of 150 rugby players were compared with a control group of 150 male hospital patients. The study revealed that rugby players showed premature and advanced changes of degenerative disease when compared with the control group. These changes were most marked in the cervical spines of the right forwards. Rugby players so affected are therefore more likely to present with the symptoms and signs of cervical osteo-arthrosis and are at greater risk of hyperextension injury to the cervical spinal cord.