Brain, Spinal Cord and Labyrinthine Concussion in Sports

In this paper, we discuss the 3 types of concussion that occur in sports; brain concussion, spinal concussion (spinal cord neurapraxia), and labyrinthine (inner ear) concussion. Brain concussion data was collected from professional ice hockey players (Tohoku Free Blades, Japan) during 9 consecutive seasons. Spinal cord concussion and Labyrinthine concussion data was collected from athletes who sustained the injury in various sports including ice hockey. Material and methods The average incidence of brain concussion in professional ice hockey players was 2.0 per season. All 13 cases of spinal cord concussion were cervical cord concussion. Seven cases showed evidence of spinal cord compression; six cases had no radiological abnormality observed. All cases of labyrinthine concussion were sustained through a traumatic blow to the lateral aspect of the head. Results In any sports injury, all three of these concussions can co-exist and requires the team doctor to be at the site in order to fully assess the injury.