Hight return-to-sport rate following traumatic spine injury in amateur athletes

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2024 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-024-01017-x · Published: November 5, 2024

Trauma Orthopedics

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how many amateur athletes return to sports after a spine injury. It looks at factors that might affect their return, such as the type of injury and treatment received. Researchers analyzed data from 94 patients treated for spine injuries between 2016 and 2020. They conducted telephone interviews to gather information on their recovery and return to sports. The study found that most amateur athletes return to sports after a spine injury, with 62% returning within six months and 81% within a year. Factors like being at a healthy weight and having a cervical spine injury were linked to a faster return.

Study Duration

2016 to 2020

Participants

94 amateur athletes (37 women, 57 men) with traumatic spine injuries

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The return-to-sport (RTS) rate in amateur athletes after an isolated spinal injury was 62% after six months and 81% after twelve months.
2
Normal weight (lower BMI) and isolated cervical spine injuries are favorable factors for returning to sports sooner.
3
Inpatient rehabilitation, often indicative of a more protracted healing process, is associated with delayed or no return to sports.

Research Summary

This study aimed to determine the RTS rate in amateurs after spine injury and to identify factors possibly influencing RTS. The RTS rate in amateur athletes after an isolated spinal injury without spinal cord injury was high, with 62% after six and 81% after twelve months. Normal-weight patients and isolated cervical injury are favorable factors for RTS. The use of inpatient rehabilitation as a marker of protracted healing is associated with delayed or no RTS.

Practical Implications

Treatment Effectiveness

The high RTS rate suggests current treatment and post-treatment approaches are effective for amateur athletes with isolated spine injuries.

Patient Counseling

Normal weight and isolated cervical injury are favorable factors for RTS

Rehabilitation Strategies

Rehabilitation as marker for protracted healing is associated with delayed or no RTS

Study Limitations

1
Retrospective, single-center design prone to recall bias.
2
Heterogeneous injuries and treatment modalities, limiting subgroup analyses.
3
Exclusion of patients with spinal cord injury limits generalizability to all spine injury patients.

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