Incidence of cervical sprains, fractures due to sport differ between men, women

NEW ORLEANS — Cervical injuries and fractures due to sports differ among men and women, with a higher incidence found among men, according to results presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.

Using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, John M. Depasse, MD, and colleagues calculated and compared weighted estimates of neck sprains and cervical fractures associated with sporting activities from 2000 to 2015. Researchers also calculated incidence rates by age and sex using U.S. census data.

John M. Depasse

“Unsurprisingly, we found a much greater incidence in males, 1.7 times for sprain and 3.6-times greater for fractures, which was significant in both cases,” Depasse said in his presentation.

Depasse noted men most commonly experienced cervical sprains in football, followed by cycling and weightlifting/aerobics, while women most commonly experienced neck sprains in weightlifting/aerobics, trampoline and cheerleading. When it came to cervical fractures, cycling, diving/swimming and football were the most common causes for men, according to Depasse. He added horseback riding, cycling and diving/swimming were the most common causes of cervical fractures in women.

“Also of note, we saw some change in trends,” Depasse said. “For neck sprains, they have been decreasing from that 15-year period, but despite the overall decrease in sprains, there was a dramatic increase in sprains due to weightlifting/aerobics.” – by Casey Tingle

Reference:

Depasse JM, et al. Paper #200. Presented at: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting; March 6-10, 2018; New Orleans.

Disclosure: Depasse reports no relevant financial disclosures.