Kristie McNealy, MD

Thankfully, serious sports related neck injuries are relatively uncommon in young children, but their impact can be devastating. While neck injuries in contact sports like football, lacrosse and ice hockey are rare, sports accidents are still the third most common cause of neck injuries in children, behind auto accidents and falls.

Like all neck injury cases, management in the first minutes after injury are critically important to longterm outcomes. But, until recently, recommendations for on-the-field treatment of neck injuries in kids between the ages of 8-14 had been limited by questions about the effects of differences in head size and overall anatomy between kids and adults. Now recent research on young football players has given evidence for clearer guidelines on how these injuries should he handled.

What to Do

If your child, or someone else is injured in a sporting event, following these simple recommendations may help reduce the chance of permanent injury.

1. If a neck injury is suspected, and the child is wearing a helmet and pads, do NOT remove them.
2. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Keep the child still and calm while someone calls 911 or other emergency services.
3. Once a medical team stabilizes the child and they are ready to remove equipment, make sure the helmet and pads are removed TOGETHER as a unit, because removal of the helmet alone can increase the risk of spinal cord injury.

Sports related neck injuries can be very dangerous, and suspected injuries should always be taken seriously. Appropriate equipment and training to prevent injury, as well as prompt and appropriate medical care for suspected injuries may help reduce the risk of tragic longterm consequences like paralysis.

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