Poudel MK, Sherman AL. Football (soccer)-related spinal cord injury-reported cases from 1976 to 2020.
Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2020;
6:106. [PMID:
33257665 PMCID:
PMC7704654 DOI:
10.1038/s41394-020-00360-8]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
An analysis of reported cases.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze the existing data on soccer (international football)-related spinal cord injury (SCI).
SETTING
Cases of soccer (international football)-related SCI that were reported globally.
METHODS
PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and online news publication databases were searched.
RESULTS
Fourteen cases of football-related SCI that occurred between 1976 and 2020 were found. Average age at the time of injury was 19 and 86% of individuals were males. Eight of 14 individuals had vertebral fracture/dislocation, whereas two individuals had concomitant traumatic brain injury. Neurologically, 54% had tetraplegia, 39% had paraplegia, and 8% each suffered from hemiplegia and sensory deficit. Two cases could regain ability to walk with orthosis and four had full mobility with "Return to Play" (RTP). The mortality was 14%.
CONCLUSIONS
Younger males were most commonly affected. The most common etiology, vertebral level of injury, and neurological manifestation was fall, cervical spine, and tetraplegia respectively. More than 50% of the individuals with football-related SCI were able to walk or RTP after rehabilitation. Further studies are required to establish universal RTP criteria and formulate preventive measures.
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