II. Symptoms and signs

  1. Neuropraxia with or without Transient Quadriplegia
    1. Mild: Motor changes (i.e. Muscle Weakness)
    2. Severe: Complete paralysis
  2. Sensory changes or Paresthesias into extremities
    1. Burning pain
    2. Numbness
    3. Tingling
    4. Loss of Sensation
  3. Neck Pain usually absent
  4. Complete recovery in most cases
    1. Early: 10-15 minutes
    2. Delayed: 36 hours

III. Causes

  1. Narrowing of cervical spinal canal
  2. Associated other predisposing factors
    1. Congenital cervical fusions
    2. Ligamentous instability
    3. Intervertebral disc disease

IV. Radiology

  1. C-Spine XRay (Inaccurate)
    1. Spinal canal diameter (varies with magnification)
      1. Normal >15 mm
      2. Absolute Stenosis <10 mm
    2. Torg ratio
      1. Stenosis: < 0.8
      2. High sensitivity but poor Specificity
  2. C-Spine MRI (most accurate method)

V. Return to competition

  1. Contraindications to participation
    1. Disc Herniation
    2. Vertebral Fracture or dislocation
    3. Significant Congenital Anomaly
  2. Guidelines after Transient Quadriplegia
    1. Contact Sport participation indications
      1. Symptom-free
      2. No Cervical Spinal Stenosis by C-Spine MRI
      3. Patient accepts risk of future Quadriplegia
    2. Contact Sport participation contraindications
      1. True Cervical Spinal Stenosis by MRI
      2. Consider minimal to no Contact Sports
        1. See Sports Contact Levels

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