Is there a relationship between whiplash-associated disorders and concussion in hockey? A preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between the occurrence of whiplash-associated disorders and concussion symptoms in hockey players.


METHODS
Prospective cohort observational study to examine the relationship between whiplash associated disorders and concussion in actual hockey play.


METHODS
Twenty hockey teams were followed prospectively for one season. Team therapists completed acute and 7-10 day follow-up evaluation questionnaires for all of the players who received either a whiplash mechanism or a concussion.


RESULTS
183 players were registered for this study; 13 received either a whiplash mechanistic injury or a concussion injury. Initial injuries ranged from WAD I to WAD III and all subjects reported concussion symptoms. Only three subjects reported full resolution of both WAD and concussion symptoms at the 7-10 day follow-up evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a strong association between whiplash induced neck injuries and the symptoms of concussion in hockey injuries. Both should be evaluated when dealing with athletes/patients suffering from either injury.
Hynes
Loriann M
LM
Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Dickey
James P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006688:Hockey / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014911:Whiplash Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*