Degenerative Disease of the Cervical Spine and Its Relationship to Athletes

Cervical spine degeneration incidence appears higher in athletes with long-term participation in competitive collision sports. However, the clinical relevance of premature cervical degeneration in athletes is unknown. Degenerative disease of the cervical spine is one cause of cervical stenosis, which is thought to increase the severity of irreversible spinal cord injury and the frequency of reversible spinal cord injury. Athletes with transient spinal cord injury should be screened for functional cervical stenosis and counseled against return to play if discovered. Treatment guidelines will continue to evolve as magnetic resonance imaging and a focus on clinical outcomes are emphasized in future studies.