Citation

Walsh AJ, Shine S, McManus F. Br. J. Sports Med. 2004; 38(6): e32.

Affiliation

Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Orthopaedic Surgery, 289 Sutton Park, Sutton, Dublin 13, Republic of Ireland. walshajw@eircom.net

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsm.2003.009837

PMID

15562147

PMCID

PMC1724970

Abstract

Fractures of the spinal column during rugby matches of all codes are rare but catastrophic, especially when associated with spinal cord injury. The cervical spine is vulnerable during trauma to the head and neck in contact sports. Spinal injuries reported during rugby matches have almost exclusively involved the cervical region, often with neurological sequelae. This is the first reported case of paraplegia caused by a fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine resulting from a low velocity rugby union injury.

Language: en