Submitted By Stephen Ritter M.D.
04.26.2009

As we enter the warmer months, many school-age children will begin training for football or actively competing in spring and summer sports, such as baseball and diving. All of these activities offer a number of physical benefits, but they can also increase the chance of injuries to the neck and spine if not performed correctly. In fact, sports-related activities account for 10 to 15 percent of all spinal injuries that occur in the U.S. each year.

One of the most common and painful injuries associated with outdoor sports occurs in the cervical spine, known as a hyperextension or hyperflexion injury. This type of injury occurs when the head moves backward and/or forward rapidly beyond the neck’s normal range of motion. The unnatural and forceful movement affects the muscles and ligaments in the neck, resulting in pain, stiffness and in more extreme cases, a cervical spine fracture.

 The following tips can help prevent some of the most common sports-related neck and spine injuries:

 Don’t go headfirst in football: When participating in full-contact sports like football, it is important to precondition and strengthen the neck muscles and make sure that all equipment, especially the helmet, is properly fitted. Players should also be discouraged from using the top of their football helmets as battering rams when blocking, hitting and tackling.
 

Dive into the deep end: Never dive into a shallow pool area or water that is less than 12 feet deep. Pool depths can be deceiving and you may hit the bottom before you realize it, causing a painful or life-altering injury. 
 

Secure helmets before bike rides: Bicyclists should always wear an approved American National Standards Institute or American Society for Testing and Materials helmet to help prevent neck and spine injuries.  Helmets should fit properly and the straps should be closed and tightened to ensure that the helmet does not come off during a fall.
 

Slide into home safely: Do not slide headfirst when stealing a base during a baseball game. Stealing a base can be exciting but sliding headfirst will only increase a player’s chance of colliding with another player or the base itself.
 

If you do experience a neck or spine injury, it is extremely important to seek immediate medical attention to prevent further injury or permanent damage. There are several nonsurgical options available to treat neck and spine injuries. However, depending on the location and extent of the injury, a physician may recommend surgery to correct the damage. An orthopedic spine specialist can provide you with the information needed to make an informed treatment decision.