Scary Injuries

I encountered a very scary injury while I was working as a sports trainer this year, and wanted to share it. I worked with a rugby team this year and the worst injury that could happen on a rugby field nearly did. During an U20's game the scrum collapsed and the hooker injured his neck, a very scary suspected spinal cord injury.

I immediately placed a neck brace on him, log rolled him onto a stretcher and took him off the field. During class, studying spinal cord injuries you always imagine what you would do, but when its in front of you its very different. While on the side of the field I subjectively checked if the patient had any pins and needles, change in sensation, headache or muscle strength changes. Objectively i checked his sensation and when that was all normal I gently and isometrically tested his muscle strength. The results from all the tests above were within normal limits, but he was complaining of a painful neck. I then allowed him to sit up with the neck brace on and continued to monitor him for the next 30min. After this time he had no further symptoms, besides the neck pain. At this stage I removed the neck brace and treated his neck cautiously, but as a musculoskeletal injury.

I was quite freaked out after this incident. So when I was on my musculoskeletal clinic I discussed my treatment of the injury with my supervisor. Our ideas of how we would manage this condition were very similar. The most important thing i learnt from this case was to always communicate with your patient. Let them know what is going on at all times, and let the patient know that they have to keep you informed if they begin to develop any neurological symptoms. I hope none of you have to ever be in this situation, but if you ever are I hope this helps you.