STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cervical spine pathology on athletes entering the National Football League. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The association of symptomatic cervical spine pathology with American football athletes has been described; however, it is unknown how preexisting cervical spine pathology affects career performance of a National Football League player. METHODS: The medical evaluations and imaging reports of American football athletes from 2003 to 2011 during the combine were evaluated. Athletes with a cervical spine diagnosis were matched to controls and career statistics were compiled. RESULTS: Of a total of 2965 evaluated athletes, 143 players met the inclusion criteria. Athletes who attended the National Football League combine without a cervical spine diagnosis were more likely to be drafted than those with a diagnosis (P = 0.001). Players with a cervical spine diagnosis had a decreased total games played (P = 0.01). There was no difference in the number of games started (P = 0.08) or performance score (P = 0.38). In 10 athletes with a sagittal canal diameter of less than 10 mm, there was no difference in years, games played, games started, or performance score (P > 0.24). No neurological injury occurred during their careers. In 7 players who were drafted with a history of cervical spine surgery (4 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 2 foraminotomy, and 1 suboccipital craniectomy with a C1 laminectomy), there was no difference in career longevity or performance when compared with matched controls. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that athletes with preexisting cervical spine pathology were less likely to be drafted than controls. Players with preexisting cervical spine pathology demonstrated a shorter career than those without; however, statistically based performance and numbers of games started were not different. Players with cervical spinal stenosis and those with a history of previous surgery demonstrated no difference in performance-based outcomes and no reports of neurological injury during their careers.
STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of cervical spine pathology on athletes entering the National Football League. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The association of symptomatic cervical spine pathology with American football athletes has been described; however, it is unknown how preexisting cervical spine pathology affects career performance of a National Football League player. METHODS: The medical evaluations and imaging reports of American football athletes from 2003 to 2011 during the combine were evaluated. Athletes with a cervical spine diagnosis were matched to controls and career statistics were compiled. RESULTS: Of a total of 2965 evaluated athletes, 143 players met the inclusion criteria. Athletes who attended the National Football League combine without a cervical spine diagnosis were more likely to be drafted than those with a diagnosis (P = 0.001). Players with a cervical spine diagnosis had a decreased total games played (P = 0.01). There was no difference in the number of games started (P = 0.08) or performance score (P = 0.38). In 10 athletes with a sagittal canal diameter of less than 10 mm, there was no difference in years, games played, games started, or performance score (P > 0.24). No neurological injury occurred during their careers. In 7 players who were drafted with a history of cervical spine surgery (4 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 2 foraminotomy, and 1 suboccipital craniectomy with a C1 laminectomy), there was no difference in career longevity or performance when compared with matched controls. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that athletes with preexisting cervical spine pathology were less likely to be drafted than controls. Players with preexisting cervical spine pathology demonstrated a shorter career than those without; however, statistically based performance and numbers of games started were not different. Players with cervical spinal stenosis and those with a history of previous surgery demonstrated no difference in performance-based outcomes and no reports of neurological injury during their careers.
Authors: Daniel B Gibbs; T Sean Lynch; M Mustafa Gombera; Matthew D Saltzman; Gordon W Nuber; Gregory D Schroeder; Mark Labelle; Brian P Hollett Journal: Sports Health Date: 2016 May/Jun Impact factor: 3.843
Authors: Brendin R Beaulieu-Jones; William H Rossy; George Sanchez; James M Whalen; Kyle P Lavery; Kevin J McHale; Bryan G Vopat; Joseph J Van Allen; Ramesses A Akamefula; Matthew T Provencher Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2017-07-24
Authors: Dean Wang; Leigh J Weiss; Madeline Abrams; Ronnie P Barnes; Russell F Warren; Scott A Rodeo; Samuel A Taylor Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2018-12-12
Authors: Casey R Stuhlman; Christopher J Owens; Eric M Samuelson; Ryan P Vermillion; Mark D Shermansky; Kevin B King; Patrick M Connor Journal: Orthop J Sports Med Date: 2019-12-24