Citation

Narayana Kurup JK, Jampani R, Mohanty SP. BMJ Case Rep. 2017; 2017: e220260.

Affiliation

Department of Orthopaedics, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bcr-2017-220260

PMID

28720693

Abstract

A young amateur wrestler presented with a burst fracture of the seventh cervical vertebra with complete paraplegia. He was treated with surgery for spine stabilisation and was actively rehabilitated. Adolescents and teenagers are indulging in high-contact sports like wrestling, without proper training and technical know-how, which can lead to severe injuries and possibly, permanent handicap or death. Trainers, assistants and institutions should be well equipped to diagnose and provide initial care of people with a spinal injury to prevent a partial injury from progressing to complete injury. Athletes, coaches and the public should be aware of methods of first aid and how to transport a patient with a cervical spine injury. Authorities should take steps to improve infrastructures in training institutions and ambulance services. Specialised spinal centres should be established throughout the country for management and rehabilitation of patients with paraplegia.

© BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Language: en

Keywords

orthopaedics; physiotherapy (sports medicine); spinal cord; trauma