Spinal flexion is the commonest mechanism of injury and has been associated with scrum engagement, scrum collapse, rucking or mauling, and mistimed tackling. The second most common mechanism of cervical spinal injury is hyper-extension. This commonly occurs during tackling, particularly the ‘gang tackle’ involving several participants simultaneously, where sudden deceleration of a player’s head may lead to cervical hyperextension, focal spinal stenosis and potential damage to the spinal cord by a “pincer” mechanism. The most commonly reported levels of injury are C5/6 and C4/5 [
INTRODUCTION: Regular review [ Spinal flexion is the commonest mechanism of injury and has been associated with scrum engagement, scrum collapse, rucking or mauling, and mistimed tackling. The second most common mechanism of cervical spinal injury is hyper-extension. This commonly occurs during tackling, particularly the ‘gang tackle’ involving several participants simultaneously, where sudden deceleration of a player’s head may lead to cervical hyperextension, focal spinal stenosis and potential damage to the spinal cord by a “pincer” mechanism. The most commonly reported levels of injury are C5/6 and C4/5 [ METHODS: A retrospective review of neck injuries presenting to a major spinal injuries facility and resulting from all codes of football (rugby union, rugby league, soccer, indoor soccer and touch) was conducted and 38 cases identified. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 14 were injured playing rugby union, 15 rugby league, three soccer, one indoor soccer, one touch football and four were playing an unidentified code. Six players were injured while scrummaging, five rugby union and one rugby league. 21 people were injured as tacklees, four as tacklers and two with unspecified involvement in a tackle. One person was injured whilst “heading” the ball, and three people were injured in a non-contact or unspecified action. At final follow-up, four people were found to be quadriplegic (ASIA A), 10 quadriparetic (ASIA B – 0 C –1 and D –9) and 24 recovered completely (ASIA E).