Reflections on 40 years as a sideline physician.
OBJECTIVE
In this study the author presents his personal observations concerning football injuries in a historical perspective with additional literature citations.


METHODS
Aspects of brachial plexus and cervical spine injuries, neurapraxia, face mask infractions, concussion, acute subdural hematoma (SDH), and the so-called second-impact syndrome are addressed.


CONCLUSIONS
The list of conclusions presented in this paper is as follows: there is more than one kind of brachial plexus injury; wedging of cervical vertebrae may be normal; neurapraxia presents a problem for return to play; face mask injuries are rarely serious; definitions of concussion vary; acute SDH requires immediate transfer to a hospital; and the second-impact syndrome may be a myth to some.
Nugent
G Robert
GR
Department of Neurosurgery, The Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506, USA. gnugent@hsc.wvu.edu
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005538:Football / Q000266:history* / Q000293:injuries*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D011481:Protective Clothing; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome