The cervical spine of professional front-row rugby players: correlation between degenerative changes and symptoms.
BACKGROUND
Injuries to the cervical spine (C-spine) are among the most serious in rugby and are well documented. Front-row players are particularly at risk due to repetitive high-intensity collisions in the scrum.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates degenerative changes of the C-spine and associated symptomatology in front-row rugby players.


METHODS
C-spine radiographs from 14 professional rugby players and controls were compared. Players averaged 23 years of playing competitive rugby. Two consultant radiologists performed a blind review of radiographs evaluating degeneration of disc spaces and apophyseal joints. Clinical status was assessed using a modified AAOS/NASS/COSS cervical spine outcomes questionnaire.


RESULTS
Front-row rugby players exhibited significant radiographic evidence of C-spine degenerative changes compared to the non-rugby playing controls (P < 0.005). Despite these findings the rugby players did not exhibit increased symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
This highlights the radiologic degenerative changes of the C-spine of front-row rugby players. However, these changes do not manifest themselves clinically or affect activities of daily living.
Hogan
B A
BA
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9, Ireland. bhogie@eircom.net
Hogan
N A
NA
Vos
P M
PM
Eustace
S J
SJ
Kenny
P J
PJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors