Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sports Surgery Clinic, Santry Demesne, Dublin 9, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2010 Jun;179(2):259-63. doi: 10.1007/s11845-009-0432-3. Epub 2009 Oct 8.
Injuries to the cervical spine (C-spine) are among the most serious in rugby and are well documented. Front-row players are particularly at risk due to repetitive high-intensity collisions in the scrum.
This study evaluates degenerative changes of the C-spine and associated symptomatology in front-row rugby players.
C-spine radiographs from 14 professional rugby players and controls were compared. Players averaged 23 years of playing competitive rugby. Two consultant radiologists performed a blind review of radiographs evaluating degeneration of disc spaces and apophyseal joints. Clinical status was assessed using a modified AAOS/NASS/COSS cervical spine outcomes questionnaire.
Front-row rugby players exhibited significant radiographic evidence of C-spine degenerative changes compared to the non-rugby playing controls (P < 0.005). Despite these findings the rugby players did not exhibit increased symptoms.
This highlights the radiologic degenerative changes of the C-spine of front-row rugby players. However, these changes do not manifest themselves clinically or affect activities of daily living.
在橄榄球运动中，颈椎（C 脊柱）受伤是最严重的伤害之一，并有充分的记录。由于在争球中反复进行高强度碰撞，前排球员的风险特别高。
本研究评估了前排橄榄球运动员 C 脊柱的退行性变化及其相关症状。
比较了 14 名职业橄榄球运动员和对照组的 C 脊柱 X 光片。运动员的平均比赛年龄为 23 岁。两位顾问放射科医生对 X 光片进行了盲法评估，评估椎间盘间隙和椎间关节的退化情况。使用改良的 AAOS/NASS/COSS 颈椎结果问卷评估临床状况。
与非橄榄球运动对照组相比，前排橄榄球运动员的 C 脊柱退行性变化有明显的影像学证据（P<0.005）。尽管有这些发现，但橄榄球运动员并没有出现更多的症状。
这突显了前排橄榄球运动员 C 脊柱的放射学退行性变化。然而，这些变化并没有在临床上表现出来，也没有影响日常生活活动。
