Cervical spinal stenosis with cord neurapraxia and transient quadriplegia.

Cervical spinal cord neurapraxia with transient quadriplegia is defined as a distinct clinical entity. The authors identify diminution of the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal as the factor that explains the described neurologic picture of the injury. Based on the result of a study of 39,377 athletes, the authors conclude that the prevalence of the injury is high and warrants attention. Given that of the patients interviewed, none recalled prodromal experience of transient motor paresis and none sustained further injury, this injury does not predispose individuals to permanent neurologic injury. No definite recurrence patterns have been established that would warrant the restriction of individuals from further activity. Activity restrictions are called for in the case of individuals with stability or chronic degenerative changes. Individuals with developmental spinal stenosis or spinal stenosis should be treated on an individual basis.