About This Blog:
- According to OrthoSpineNews, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) released new guidelines for treating athletes with potential spine injuries at sporting events.
- These guidelines are based on years of scientific, orthopedic, spine and sports medicine expertise.
- Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine explains the importance of these new guidelines for athletes who’ve sustained potential spinal cord injuries on the field.
The NATA made significant headway for athletes injured at sporting events by establishing new guidelines, which many orthopedic and spine physicians are applauding. The organization’s new guidelines are specific to athletes who’ve sustained potential spinal injuries during a game. These new recommendations were developed after spinal motion studies found certain tweaks could provide optimal care to athletes with devastating injuries.
Members from the association simulated different spinal injuries using cadavers and with that found an eight-person lift (while spine boarding athletes) better reduces potentially life-threatening motions of the cervical spine. Prior to this finding, trainers were instructed to logroll an athlete in order to position them onto a backboard before transferring them to a medical facility. The athlete’s protective equipment (shoulder pads, helmet, etc.) would be left on to further stabilize the athlete’s spine.
Now, physicians and athletic trainers are being told to perform this eight-person lift over logrolling the athlete onto a backboard. Of course, this recommendation depends on the situation, as all injuries are different and present unique circumstances. Logrolling should be used on athletes that are face down to ensure he or she has airway access. Nevertheless, the eight-person lift is preferred for less cervical spine motion.
Another new guideline called for the safe, controlled removal of equipment prior to transfer. This includes shoulder pads and helmets, and these items should only be removed if the trainer can ensure the least amount of trauma possible. These changes provide EMTs and hospital physicians with easy access to areas of the body, for these individuals are not necessarily experts at removing equipment, according to one author of the study.
As a spine surgeon, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine hopes these new guidelines will limit the number of serious injuries in high-contact sports like football and rugby. To learn more about these guidelines and how they can be implemented at your sports organization, visit NATA’s website.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit http://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
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The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.