Spinal abnormalities in young fast bowlers.
The action of fast bowling in the game of cricket is known to cause injuries to the lumbar spine. We studied a group of 16- to 18-year-old fast bowlers, selected for special training in Western Australia. All 24 had MR scans of the spine, 22 had radiographs and CT scans; in 20 the bowling technique was analysed biomechanically. There was a high incidence of back pain and this was always associated with a radiological abnormality. Pars interarticularis defects were diagnosed in 54% and intervertebral disc degeneration in 63%. Bowling actions which involved counter-rotation were associated with a higher incidence of both injuries.
Hardcastle
P
P
University of Western Australia, Nedlands.
Annear
P
P
Foster
D H
DH
Chakera
T M
TM
McCormick
C
C
Khangure
M
M
Burnett
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed