Citation

Gotfryd AO, Franzin FJ, Hartl R. Einstein (Sao Paulo) 2016; 14(1): 67-70.

Affiliation

Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center, New York, NY, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein)

DOI

10.1590/S1679-45082016RC3432

PMID

27074237

PMCID

PMC4872921

Abstract

We report a rare case of an unstable flexion-distraction spine fracture with ligament involvement that occurred during a professional female soccer game. There were no neurological déficit. The patient had a painful midline gap which suggested ligamentar injury that was not immediately recognized. Despite that, proper immobilization and referral to hospital for further evaluation avoided additional spinal cord damage. The patient underwent a monosegmental posterior instrumentation spine fusion and after 6 months returned to professional soccer activities. This paper alerts to the possibility of occurrence of severe and unstable spine injuries during soccer practice and the importance of an adequate initial care at the game field in order to avoid iatrogenic neurological injuries.

Language: pt