Spinal Injuries in the Overhead Athlete

September 30, 2022

Review

. 2022 Sep 29.

doi: 10.1007/s12178-022-09791-2.

Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

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Review

Robert G Watkins 4th et al.

Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med.

2022.

. 2022 Sep 29.

doi: 10.1007/s12178-022-09791-2.

Online ahead of print.

Affiliations

¹ Marina Spine Center, 4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 600, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA. [email protected].
² Marina Spine Center, 4640 Admiralty Way, Suite 600, Marina del Rey, CA, 90292, USA.

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Abstract

Purpose of review:

Treatment of overhead athletes requires a systematic approach that will make an accurate diagnosis, deliver effective treatment, and make timely and safe return to sport.

Recent findings:

New data has shown success rates and return to play effectiveness after different types of cervical and lumbar surgery. Cervical foraminotomy has been shown to have the highest rate and fastest return to play, but with the highest incidence of need for revision surgery. Cervical artificial disc replacement has shown promising results in the general population and is being done more commonly in elite athletes, but has an unknown risk for failure. Cervical fusion is a well-established and effective treatment, but has the longest healing time and risk for adjacent level pathology. In the lumbar spine, discectomy has a long and proven track record, fusion is rarely performed but can be effective, and artificial disc replacement is extremely rare in an elite athlete. An effective and comprehensive approach can diagnose, treat, and return overhead athletes to competitive play.

Keywords:

Athlete; Cervical; Lumbar; Overhead; Spine; Sport.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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