Having presented information on sports and spine injuries many times before, Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine is without-a-doubt an expert on the topic. His presentation, Acute Cervical Injuries In Football, provides in-depth information on the types of injuries sustained from football, how spine surgeons can treat certain injuries over others, what the recovery process looks like, and guidelines for returning players to the game.
Be that as it may, for the sake of this blog we’re going to cut down some of the information and cover the basics, like what spine injuries are most common and what Dr. Mark Giovanini can do for you if/when you sustain one! Keep reading for recommendations, then call NeuroMicroSpine to discuss your injury with Dr. Giovanini.
According to a number of cervical spine injury studies, including Dr. Giovanini's presentation, 50 percent of all sport injuries are to the cervical spine (neck). These injuries occur most in people who play football and rugby. Fortunately, most of these injuries are considered “self limited” and do not permanently damage neurological functioning. Some of the most common neck injuries are:
- Nerve root or brachial plexus injuries
- Acute cervical sprains/strains
- Intervertebral disk injuries
- Cervical stenosis and transient spinal cord injury
- Cervical fractures
High-velocity collisions between players may cause a number of these injuries. Acceleration or deceleration of the head on the neck can cause pain and a whiplash-type injury. 
According to Medscape, spearing, a move that involves a player to use his head as the first point of contact with another player, was and in some cases, still is a significant cause of cervical spine injuries—even though the move was banned in 1976.
If you or someone you know is experiencing acute neck pain or stiffness as a result of a cervical spine injury, he or she should see Dr. Mark Giovanini of NeuroMicroSpine. He will be able to evaluate your pain and injury thoroughly and recommend treatment. Minor injuries may require rest and time away from the sport to heal. If the injury is extensive, treatment may include a minimally invasive spine surgery. Call NeuroMicroSpine today to get evaluated by the best in the spine world!
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment
We hope to see you soon!
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.
©NeuroMicroSpine, 2018
©Medical Marketing Solutions, 2018