TY - JOUR PY - 2017// TI - Catastrophic cervical spinal injury in an amateur college wrestler JO - BMJ case reports A1 - Narayana Kurup, Jayakrishnan Kelamangalathu A1 - Jampani, Ravitheja A1 - Mohanty, Simanchal P. SP - e220260 EP - e220260 VL - 2017 IS - N2 - 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.

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Language: en

LA - en SN - 1757-790X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2017-220260 ID - ref1 ER -