Rugby and cervical spine injuries - has anything changed : a 5-year review in the Western Cape

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorDunn, Robert Neil
dc.contributor.authorVan der Spuy, Dirk
dc.date.accessioned2011-03-18T14:56:50Z
dc.date.available2011-03-18T14:56:50Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.descriptionArticle
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
dc.descriptionBibliography
dc.description.abstractObjectives. To review the incidence of all rugby-associated cervical spine injuries in the Western Cape and identify risk factors. Methods. We reviewed case notes and X-rays of 27 male patients with rugby-related cervical spine injuries treated at the acute spinal injury (ASCI) unit at Groote Schuur Hospital from April 2003 to June 2008, and followed up with telephone interviews. Patient profile, rugby profile, subsequent injury management from the field to definitive surgery and neurological status on admission, discharge and follow-up using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification were assessed. Results. Average patient age was 25.3 years; 19% of them were scholars. The highest level of education among the adults was primary school in 70% of cases. Forwards and backs had the same injury rate. Most injuries occurred outside the metropole; more occurred in the tackling phase; 39% occurred during foul play; a third of players were not stabilised with a collar on the field; and 65% were taken to an inappropriate primary contact centre. A median of 10 hours elapsed before admission to the ASCI unit. Facet dislocations occurred in 59%; 8 presented neurologically complete and remained so; and 3 presented with residual sensation, with 2 improving to normal. Three presented as ASIA C improving to D, and all Ds improved to Es. Despite their injuries, 60% said they would advise their sons to play rugby. Only 22% regretted playing. Conclusions. Despite a reduction in cervical spine injuries in rugby in the Western Cape, the latter mostly occur outside the metropole, where levels of education are lower, foul play is more often associated with the injury, and rapid access to medical care is generally unavailable.en_ZA
dc.description.versionPublishers' version
dc.format.extentp. 235-238
dc.identifier.citationDunn, R.N. & van der Spuy, D. 2010, Rugby and cervical spine injuries - has anything changed : a 5-year review in the Western Cape, SA Medical Journal, 100(4), 235-238, http://www.samj.org.za/index.php/samj
dc.identifier.issn0256-9574 (print)
dc.identifier.issn2078-5135 (online)
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/7018
dc.language.isoen_ZA
dc.publisherHealth and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
dc.rights.holderHealth and Medical Publishing Group (HMPG)
dc.subjectSpine injuries in rugby players -- Diagnosis -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Case studiesen_ZA
dc.subjectCervical spine injuries -- Treatmenten_ZA
dc.subjectCervical spine injuries -- Diagnosisen_ZA
dc.subjectSpinal fractures in rugby players -- Diagnosis -- South Africa -- Western Cape -- Case studies
dc.subjectAdolescent rugby players -- Risk factorsen_ZA
dc.titleRugby and cervical spine injuries - has anything changed : a 5-year review in the Western Capeen_ZA
dc.typeArticle
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
dunn_rugby_2010.pdf
Size:
68.49 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Publishers' version
Download
Collections
Research Articles (Orthopaedic Surgery)