Treatment strategies for managing cervical spine injuries in rugby players

Abstract

Background: Cervical spine fractures are potentially catastrophic injuries in rugby players. Here, we reviewed seven patients who sustained rugby-related cervical spine fractures. Notably, three of seven fractures were missed on initial X-rays, but were ultimately documented on CT studies obtained an average of 10 days later. Methods: Seven patients sustained cervical spine fracture attributed to rugby (2009–2016) and were followed an average of 52 posttrauma months. Most injuries occurred at the C6-C7 level, and six of seven patients required surgery. Further, only two of seven patients exhibited resultant neurological deficits (e.g., one myelopathy and one radiculopathy). Results: Although the rugby injury was sufficiently documented on initial X-rays in four patients, three initial X-rays missed fractures, which were documented on the CT studies obtained an average of 10 days later. Conclusion: Rugby-related cervical fractures must be considered where players continue to complain of pain following trauma. Notably, routine X-rays may miss fractures in 3 of 7 cases (43%), thus warranting supplemental CT examinations to definitively rule out fractures.