[Spinal column injuries in sport: treatment strategies and clinical results].
BACKGROUND
The management of patients with sport-related injuries of the spine is a challenging issue with regard to the ability to resume former sport activities. The current study analyses the rate of resumption of sports participation after conservative and operative treatment.


METHODS
In a 2-year period, 96 patients with sport-related injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine were included in this prospective study. Conservative (19%) or operative treatment (81%) was performed depending on the extent, severity and instability of the trauma. The reduction, the loss of reduction over time and the VAS and Odom scores were assessed. A questionnaire was included to estimate the rate of resumption of sports participation.


RESULTS
Of the patients 91% resumed sports participation and 9% had to abandon all sport activities mostly due to neurological deficits. Minor loss of correction was found in patients with 360 degrees short segment fusions and major loss was found after conservative treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The current management of injuries of the spine effectuates a high rate of resumption of sports activity following conservative or operative treatment.
Merkel
P
P
Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Murnau, Prof.-Küntscher-Str. 8, 82418 Murnau, Deutschland. Patricia.Merkel@bgu-murnau.de
Hauck
S
S
Zentz
F
F
Bühren
V
V
Beisse
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D017586:Diskectomy; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed