Transient Quadriparesis and Cervical Neuropraxia in Elite Athletes

Abstract

Elite athletes are often faced with difficult decisions when faced with a cervical spinal disorder. There are many aspects to consider such as the risk of further injury, short- and long-term effects on an athlete's life both during and after his/her career, and the options for treatment. Although there have been some recent contributions to this topic, the evidence-based literature is generally devoid of high-level clinical studies to help guide the decision-making process. This article reviews the pertinent available data/criteria and offer an algorithm for return-to-play considerations.

Keywords: Cervical cord neurapraxia; Cervical cord neuropraxia; Cervical stenosis; Elite athlete; Professional athlete; Transient quadriparesis.