title: Catastrophic neck injuries in the collision sport athlete.
abstract: Catastrophic neck injury is defined as a structural distortion of the cervical spinal column associated with actual (or potential) damage to the spinal cord. Although uncommon, this type of traumatic injury can lead to severe neurologic sequelae in the collision sport athlete. Emergency care is complicated by the helmet and shoulder pads worn by the athlete. A thorough understanding of the clinical anatomy, diagnostic considerations, and protocols for on-site evaluation and management is necessary to optimize outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Brown Medical School/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Fadale
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Palumbo
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D009333:Neck / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013177:Sports; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries