Cervical pain in the athlete: common conditions and treatment

Abstract

In summary, it is important for physicians dealing with neck pain in an athletic population to understand the differences between serious and mild cervical injuries. This is best facilitated by a thorough understanding of the signs and symptoms of serious cervical injury, familiarity with the basic anatomy of the neck and its structures, and a working knowledge of common causes of neck pain and mechanisms of injury. All unconscious athletes should be assumed to have a serious cervical injury until proven otherwise, and preventive measures should be taken to ensure the safety of the athlete. This includes airway management with a jaw thrust only, neck stabilization, and preventing helmet removal. In the conscious athlete who has neck pain, serious cervical injury can often be ruled out with an accurate history and physical examination. In all cases of neck pain, it is imperative that the athlete be protected. This may involve removing the athlete from competition, or transporting him or her to the local emergency room. Often, this decision falls on the shoulders of the doctor in the stands. Thus, a basic understanding of the evaluation and management of neck pain in athletes is an asset for all physicians who frequent athletic events or see athletes in the office. The physician responsible for patients who have Down syndrome or rheumatoid arthritis needs to consider the increased incidence of cervical instability in these patients when evaluating for athletic participation or neck pain.