Skip to main content

Cervical Cord Neurapraxia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 601 Accesses

Abstract

Cervical cord neurapraxia is a transient neurological deficit resulting from trauma to the cervical spine. Most symptoms resolve in adults within 15 min and, however, may last much longer in children. The association of cervical cord neurapraxia with cervical stenosis has been shown in many series in adults but has not been well demonstrated in children. Initial management should include immobilization, clinical exam, and radiographic evaluation. Adults that do return to their sport have at least a 50% risk of recurrence, whereas the risk of recurrence in children has not yet been established. We believe that absolute contraindications to return to play include instability or focal cord compression that cannot be resolved with surgical intervention as well as any residual weakness in a major motor group, imbalance, loss of dexterity, or other cord-related neurologic deficits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Torg JS, et al. Cervical cord neurapraxia: classification, pathomechanics, morbidity, and management guidelines. J Neurosurg. 1997;87(6):843–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pavlov H, et al. Cervical spinal stenosis: determination with vertebral body ratio method. Radiology. 1987;164(3):771–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Torg JS, et al. The Nicolas Andry award. The pathomechanics and pathophysiology of cervical spinal cord injury. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995;321:259–69.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Penning L. Some aspects of plain radiography of the cervical spine in chronic myelopathy. Neurology. 1962;12:513–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Maroon JC, et al. Cervical neurapraxia in elite athletes: evaluation and surgical treatment. Report of five cases. J Neurosurg Spine. 2007;6(4):356–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Page S, Guy JA. Neurapraxia, “stingers,” and spinal stenosis in athletes. South Med J. 2004;97(8):766–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Torg JS, et al. Neurapraxia of the cervical spinal cord with transient quadriplegia. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1986;68(9):1354–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Boockvar JA, Durham SR, Sun PP. Cervical spinal stenosis and sports-related cervical cord neurapraxia in children. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(24):2709–12; discussion 2713.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Torg JS, et al. The relationship of developmental narrowing of the cervical spinal canal to reversible and irreversible injury of the cervical spinal cord in football players. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1996;78(9):1308–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bajwa NS, et al. Establishment of parameters for congenital stenosis of the cervical spine: an anatomic descriptive analysis of 1,066 cadaveric specimens. Eur Spine J. 2012;21(12):2467–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Wolf BS, Khilnani M, Malis L. The sagittal diameter of the bony cervical spinal canal and its significance in cervical spondylosis. J Mt Sinai Hosp N Y. 1956;23(3):283–92.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith MG, et al. The prevalence of congenital cervical spinal stenosis in 262 college and high school football players. J Ky Med Assoc. 1993;91(7):273–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Cantu RC. Cervical spine injuries in the athlete. Semin Neurol. 2000;20(2):173–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Cantu RC. Return to play guidelines after a head injury. Clin Sports Med. 1998;17(1):45–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Morganti C, et al. Return to play after cervical spine injury. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2001;26(10):1131–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Morganti C. Recommendations for return to sports following cervical spine injuries. Sports Med. 2003;33(8):563–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Dailey A, Harrop JS, France JC. High-energy contact sports and cervical spine neuropraxia injuries: what are the criteria for return to participation? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010;35(21 Suppl):S193–201.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Bailes JE, et al. Management of athletic injuries of the cervical spine and spinal cord. Neurosurgery. 1991;29(4):491–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Bailes JE. Experience with cervical stenosis and temporary paralysis in athletes. J Neurosurg Spine. 2005;2(1):11–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Vaccaro AR, et al. Cervical spine injuries in athletes: current return-to-play criteria. Orthopedics. 2001;24(7):699–703; quiz 704–5.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Vaccaro AR, et al. Return to play criteria for the athlete with cervical spine injuries resulting in stinger and transient quadriplegia/paresis. Spine J. 2002;2(5):351–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Tempel ZJ, et al. Significance of T2 hyperintensity on magnetic resonance imaging after cervical cord injury and return to play in professional athletes. Neurosurgery. 2015;77(1):23–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Veidlinger OF, et al. Cervical myelopathy and its relationship to cervical stenosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1981;6(6):550–2.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Valone, F.H., Riew, K.D. (2020). Cervical Cord Neurapraxia. In: Hsu, W., Jenkins, T. (eds) Spinal Conditions in the Athlete. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26207-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26207-5_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-26206-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-26207-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics