Acute Quadriplegia Following the Use of Progressive Resistance Exercise Machinery

Spontaneous tetraplegia during weight training

A case of tetraplegia due to weight training is presented. Emergency surgery revealed a huge C5/6 disc sequestration trapped within the canal by the posterior longitudinal ligament. The disc was removed and C5-C7 were fused using an iliac crest tricortical graft and stabilised. The patient made a good recovery and returned to sporting activity.

Upper extremity weight-training modifications for the injured athlete. A clinical perspective

The ability of the health care professional to make correct decisions about the progression of weight-training is critical to the rehabilitation process. The purpose of this article is to describe our approach to modification of weight-lifting techniques using the injured shoulder as a model. Additionally, the impact of various upper extremity weight-training techniques on healthy athletes is discussed. The effects of grip, hand spacing, bar trajectory, and start and finishing positions on microtraumatic injury and return to weight-training activities after injury are considered. Several weight-training functional progressions for common multijoint exercises (such as bench press, shoulder press, power clean) are presented. Adaptations for periodization are also presented for implementation in the rehabilitation sequence. The weight-training modifications described in this paper will assist the health professional to safely return athletes to the weight room after shoulder injury.

Weight training injuries: part 1: diagnosing and managing acute conditions

When patients present with acute weight training injuries, familiarity with the demands of the activity can help physicians get the most out of the patient history. Probable risk factors for injury include errors in technique (described in a sidebar), skeletal immaturity, and anabolic steroid abuse. Common acute injuries in weight training include sprains, strains, tendon avulsions, and compartment syndrome. Possible nonmusculoskeletal problems include retinal hemorrhage, radiculopathy, and various cardiovascular complications. Treatment of acute musculoskeletal injuries varies, but usually includes sports medicine mainstays such as prompt RICE. Chronic weight training injuries will be described in part 2 of this series.

Acute Cervical Radiculopathy in Weight Lifters

In brief: While weight lifting, three athletes experienced neck or shoulder/scapular pain that radiated down the arm and that was associated with segmental weakness and paresthesia. Magnetic resonance imaging and/or cervical spine radiographs showed degenerative changes of the cervical spine, and each athlete was diagnosed with acute radiculopathy. Conservative management of such patients involves restricted activity, the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatories, and the application of a cervical collar. Once the symptoms have subsided, the athlete can gradually resume activities, provided that there are no structural lesions of the cervical spine that will predispose the athlete to further injury.