A Dictionary of Sports Injuries and Disorders

This is a complete, up-to-date dictionary of medical terms used to describe sports injuries and disorders. The entries are medically accurate and reliable, but clear enough for non-specialists, lay readers, and students. Examples: Acute anterior cervical spinal cord injury syndrome is the result of a severe injury to the neck that can occur in contact sports such as football and rugby. It is characterized by an immediate acute paralysis of all four limbs with loss of pain and temperature up to the level of the lesion, but with preservation of the posterior column sensations of position, motion, vibration, and part of touch. Acute cervical radiculopathy can occur in weight lifters. It is characterized by neck and shoulder pain and pain radiating down the arm. Treatment is conservative. Structural degeneration of cervical vertebrae may be demonstrated by X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging and this is a contraindication to resuming this sport. Biceps tendon rupture can occur in gymnasts and throwers. Clinical features are a sudden snap, a sharp pain, and the appearance of a gap in the muscle. Treatment involves ice and a sling. The rupture can heal but there is likely to be permanent weakness in the muscle. Surgical repair is sometimes necessary.