Falling for sport: a case report of skydiving and SCI

Curr Sports Med Rep. 2013 Jan-Feb;12(1):7-10. doi: 10.1249/JSR.0b013e31827dc1e1.

Abstract

Participation in extreme sports has increased over the last 25 years. Although spinal cord injury may be sustained during extreme and traditional sports alike, the associated risk, location, and severity of injury varies by sport. We describe the case of a 31-year-old man who sustained an L1 burst fracture while landing his inaugural skydiving jump. He developed a mixed pattern of neurologic injury with relative preservation of lower extremity strength and impaired bowel and bladder function. Sports medicine providers should be aware of the risks associated with air sports/extreme sports participation. Such awareness may help prevent injury and enhance the management of associated complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Athletic Injuries / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / surgery*
  • Spinal Fractures / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Fractures / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome