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Jun 14, 2017Article Details
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An apparent reduction in the incidence and severity of spinal cord injuries in schoolboy rugby players in the Western Cape since 1990
Abstract
Methods. The study was a retrospective analysis of all patients with rugby-related spinal cord injuries admitted to the Conradie and Libertas Spinal Units, Cape Town, between 1990 and 1997, Data were initially collected annually from patient files. From 1993 patients were interviewed in hospital and a standardised questionnaire was completed_ Data were collated and analysed.
Results. There were 67 spinal cord injuries in adult and schoolboy rugby players in the eight seasons studied. Fiftyfour (80%) injuries were in adults and 13 (20%) in schoolboys, representing a 23% increase and a 46% reduction in the number of injured adults and schoolboys, respectively. Fifty two per cent of those injuries for which the mechanism was recorded occurred in !he tackle phase of the game; of these approximately equal numbers were due to vertex impact of the tackler's head with another object, or to illegal (high) tackles. Twenty-five per cent of injuries ocCl.irred in the ruck and maul and the remainder (23%) in the collapsed scrum. The only striking difference in the proportion of injuries occurring in .the different phases of play was the absence of high-tackle injuries among schoolboys. The majority of injuries occurred at vertebral levels C4/5 (32%) and CS/ 6 (42%), Five players (8%) died, tetraplegia occurred in 48% and 35% recovered either fully or with minor residual disability. Playing position was recorded for half the injured players. Front-row forwards (props 33%, hookers 9%), locks (12%) wings and centres (21%) and loose forwards (15%), accounted for 90% of all injuries.
Conclusions. Introduction of rugby law changes in South African schoolboy rugby in 1990 may have led to a 46% reduction in the nUIIlber of spinal cord injuries in this group. In contrast, the number of these injuries in adult rugby players increased during the same time period due either to an increase in the number of adult players or to a real increase in the incidence of these injuries. More injured schoolboy than adult rugby players made total or nearcomplete recoveries from initially paralysing injuries (61% v. 28%). The reduced number of schoolboy injuries could not have resulted directly from the specific law changes introduced in 199O; which targeted scrum laws. Rather, the absence of illegal (high) tackle injuries among schoolboys appears to be the principal factor explaining fewer injuries in schoolboys, who suffered a higher proportion of injuries in the ruck and maul than did adult players. Accordingly we conclude that a further reduction in spinal cord injuries in adult and schoolboy rugby players in the Western Cape requires: (i) the elimination of injuries occurring in the ruck and maul, and to the tackler; (ii) the strict application of the high-tackle rule in adult rugby; and (iii) a continuing, high level of vigilance. Concern must be expressed about the continuing number of paralysing spinal cord injuries in adult rugby players.
