Aim: To determine whether timing of intervention affects neurological outcome after spinal cord injury resulting from rugby cervical facet dislocations.

Methods: An observational study on 57 rugby players who were admitted to a Spinal Cord Injuries Unit from 1988 to 2000 with cervical spine facet dislocations. Experienced medical officers, an orthopaedic specialist and physiotherapists determined the admission and discharge Frankel grades (A to E). The time was recorded from the actual injury to successful reduction in hours. The usual method of reduction was by Rapid Incremental Traction on an Awake Patient. Statistical analysis was performed using parametric and non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney).

Results: 14 patients were treated within 4 hours of injury and 43 were treated after 4 hours. The median Frankel gain for patients reduced within 4 hours was 5 but only 2 for those reduced after 4 hours (p= 0.0002)

Conclusion: Time from injury to intervention does significantly affect neurological outcome in a homogenous group of spinal cord injuries in fit young males as a result of low velocity trauma mechanisms. Spinal cord injuries secondary to cervical facet dislocations in these patients should be regarded as an absolute emergency.