Kinesiology 312 (Sports Injuries)

The Spine

Cervical Sprain (Whiplash)

Cervical sprain injury or whiplash involves a sudden forward or backward acceleration of
the head relating to the vertebral column. (e.g. rugby tackle, car accident).

Cause of Injury Signs & Symptoms Care

 Usually from violent motion  Tenderness over the  PRICE
 Head snaps suddenly transverse & spinous  Cervical collar to
 Violent forward or backward processes reduce muscle spasm
motion of the head relating to  Pain always appears the  Cold or heat therapy,
the vertebral column day after trauma massage
 Whiplash produces tears in  Localized pain  Anti-inflammatories
the anterior & posterior  Symptoms persist  Physiotherapy
longitudinal ligaments longer than the strain  Heat or cold
 Or in supraspinous ligament  Restricted motion  Massage

Mechanical traction may

also be prescribed to
relieve pain & muscle
spasm
 Acute Torticollis
Abnormal, asymmetric head position due to trauma. A small piece of synovial membrane
lining the joint capsule is impinged or trapped between the cervical vertebrae.

Cause of Injury Signs & Symptoms Care

 A small piece of synovial
membrane lining the joint
capsule is impinged or
trapped between the cervical
vertebrae
 Point tenderness
 Muscle Spasm
 Muscle guarding
 Restricted head
movement
 Cold, heat or massage
 Strengthening &
stretching exercises
 Soft cervical collar for
comfort
 Gradually move to
strengthening and
stretching
 Pinched Nerve (Brachial Plexus Injury)
Nerves are stretched, compressed or ripped apart from the spinal cord.

Cause of Injury Signs & Symptoms Care

 Stretching or compression of
the brachial plexus (e.g.
shoulder block in football)
Neurological S&S:
 Burning sensation
 Numbness, tingling
 Pain radiating from the
shoulder to the hand
 Once the symptoms
have completely
resolved & there are
no associated
neurological

 Loss of function symptoms, the athlete

may return to full
activity
 Strengthening and
stretching
 Neck collar for
protection
 Sciatica
Pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve through the buttocks, down the leg and possibly
the foot. It may be caused due to a herniated disc. Sciatica is an inflammatory condition of
the sciatic nerve; commonly associated with peripheral nerve root compression.

Cause of Injury Signs & Symptoms Care

 Peripheral nerve root
compression
 Inflammatory condition of
the sciatic nerve
 Can be acute or gradual 
onset:
 Tingling or numbness
 Sharp shooting pain
along the posterior &
medial thigh
 Straight leg raise
intensifies the pain
 Sensitive to palpation
In acute stage - rest is
essential
 Cause of the
inflammation must be
identified
 Oral anti-inflammatory
medication may assist
in reducing
inflammation
 Spondylolysis & Spondylolisthesis
Spondylosis: General wear & tear condition due to degeneration of the intervertebral discs.
Spondylolisthesis: A condition in which one vertebral body is slipped forward over
another. (slippage of vertebra)

Cause of Injury Signs & Symptoms Care

 Spondylolysis: degeneration  Pain or stiffness across  Bracing & 1-3 days
of the vertebrae & more the lower back bed rest help reduce
commonly a defect in the  ↑ pain following pain
articular processes of the physical activity  Avoid vigorous
vertebrae (can lead to activity
spondylolisthesis)  Progressive trunk-
 Congenital weakness stabilization
 Hyperextended back strengthening exercises
 Spondylolisthesis:
complication of
spondylolysis, L5 slipping on
S1 due to a direct blow or
sudden twist
 Low back strain
 Direct blow or sudden
twist
Herniated lumbar disc:
Cause:
- Abnormal stresses and degeneration due to use (forward bending and twisting)
Signs:
- Centrally located pain that radiates on one side of the buttocks and down the back of
the leg
- Symptoms are worse in morning
- Onset is sudden or gradual, pain may increase after athlete sits and then moves
- Forward bending increases pain
- Backwards bending reduce pain
- Straight leg raise in painful
Care:
- Extension makes athlete more comfortable
- Surgery - if signs of nerve damage
- Back extensor and abdominal stabilization exercises

*Sacroiliac sprain

*Coccyx injuries