Incidence and severity of neck injury in Rugby Union: A systematic review

Abstract

Objectives. To collate and appraise incidence and severity data for neck injury in Rugby Union. To report risk factors for neck injury in Rugby Union that are supported by incidence and severity data. Design. Systematic review. Methods. Original journal articles were retrieved from electronic searches of AusportMed, AUSPORT, Scopus, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL, Mantis, and Pubmed databases and relevant bibliographic hand searches. Selection criteria were restricted to: (a) prospective study designs including cohort, case-control, and intervention methodologies; (b) populations of Rugby Union players, either male or female of any age; (c) studies must report on neck injury incidence and/or severity specifically; (d) articles with republished neck injury data were excluded. The STROBE Statement was adapted for the quality assessment of included studies and categorised as either poor, moderate or good. Results. Thirty-three original articles met the selection criteria. Wide variation of injury and exposure definitions and population sampling was identified in the included articles. Neck injury incidence ranged between 0.26 (CI: 0.08, 0.93) and 9.17 (CI: 1.89, 26.81) per 1000 player hours for mixed populations that adopted an all inclusive sports injury definition. There is a paucity of severity data and analytical data which evaluates causal roles of risk factors for neck injury in Rugby Union. Conclusions. Meaningful understanding of neck injury incidence and severity in Rugby Union is restricted to a few studies which adopt comparable methodological construct. This paper provides an index for future neck injury studies in Rugby Union.

Impact of the national prevention policy and scrum law changes on the incidence of rugby-related catastrophic cervical spine injuries in French Rugby Union

“…The incidence is decreasing and is lower than that observed between 1996 and 2006 (1.7 per 100 000 players) 10. One major problem concerns the definition of catastrophic spinal cord injuries in studies investigating catastrophic cervical spine injuries 9. In the literature, non-permanent spinal injuries were frequently reported alongside spinal injuries resulting in a permanent disability.…”

The prevalence of self-reported neck pain in rugby union players in Gauteng Province

“…[7] Common injuries incurred include cervical facet joint sprain, neck muscle strain and neuropathy. …”

“…Many studies have addressed the incidence and severity of neck injuries in rugby union, [7,8] but few have addressed the potential lasting effects, or prevalence of neck pain in these players. It is also common for rugby union to cause pathological changes to the cervical spine; but these changes do not always manifest clinically.…”

“…Minor or non-catastrophic injury to the cervical spine is common, with the incidence ranging from 0.26 -9.17/1 000 player hours. [7] In amateur rugby union players, 69% of neck injuries are minor, 17% mild and 7% moderate to severe. [8] These injuries may result in neck symptoms, [9] reduced playing time, and associated healthcare costs.…”

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Neck Muscular Size and Range of Motion in Rugby Players

“…4 There is not a significant difference in types of injuries between professional players and amateurs. 5 However, the younger player categories are spared, because of appropriate scrum rules, contacts being less rough and the power of players (weight and speed) being less developed. In fact, the incidence of cervical injury was shown to increase by age category: 68% for over 21 year old players, 23% for 17-21 year olds, 3% for 15-17 year olds, and 3% for 13-15 year olds.…”