Does a Syrinx Matter for Return to Play in Contact Sports? A Case Report and Evidence-Based Review of Return-to-Play Criteria After Transient Quadriplegia

Does a Syrinx Matter for Return to Play in Contact Sports? A Case Report and Evidence-Based Review of Return-to-Play Criteria After Transient Quadriplegia SPORTS HEALTH-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH Milles, J. L., Gallizzi, M. A., Sherman, S. L., Smith, P. A., Choma, T. J. 2014; 6 (5): 440–45

Abstract

Transient quadriplegia is a rare injury that can change the course of an athlete's career if misdiagnosed or managed inappropriately. The clinician should be well versed in the return-to-play criteria for this type of injury. Unfortunately, when an unknown preexisting syrinx is present in the athlete, there is less guidance on their ability to return to play. This case report and review of the current literature illustrates a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football player who suffered a transient quadriplegic event during a kickoff return that subsequently was found to have an incidental cervical syrinx on magnetic resonance imaging. The player was able to have a full neurologic recovery, but ultimately he was withheld from football.

View details for DOI 10.1177/1941738114544674

View details for Web of Science ID 000214873300011

View details for PubMedID 25177422

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC4137682