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Spinal, axial skeleton injuries occurred most frequently in the NFL
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In the National Football League, spinal and axial skeleton injuries occur frequently, with tackling and blocking resulting in the most number of injuries, according to this study.
Researchers collected and analyzed injury data on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, pelvis, ribs and spinal cord from 11 seasons of National Football League (NFL) play from 2000 to 2010. The analysis included injuries that occurred during preseason training camp and the four preseason games, the regular 17-week season and the postseason playoffs
Overall, researchers found 31,338 injuries in the NFL from 2000 to 2010, with 7% affecting the spine or axial skeleton. Study results showed that more injuries occurred to the spine and axial skeleton during the regular season vs. preseason, as well as during regular season games vs. preseason games.
Forty-five percent of spine or axial skeleton injuries occurred in the cervical spine and thoracic disc herniations caused the most missed playing time. Cervical fracture, cervical disc degeneration/herniations, spinal cord injury, lumbar disc degeneration/herniations, thoracic fracture and thoracic nerve injury also caused time missed playing greater than 30 days.
Offensive linemen, followed by defensive backs, defensive linemen, linebackers and special team players were most likely to have a spinal or axial skeleton injury. Blocking and tackling caused the greatest number of injuries.
“These data can be used to help design future studies aimed to prevent these injuries from occurring,” the researchers stated. “Understanding the players at risk and the mechanism of injury may help athletic trainers, sports medicine specialists and NFL officials focus their efforts toward prevention of these common and occasionally catastrophic injuries.”
Disclosure: The researchers reported no relevant financial disclosures.
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