Abstract
Successful return to sport after spinal surgery depends on several factors: accurate diagnosis, proper choice of surgery, effective surgery, and comprehensive rehabilitation program. After surgery, trunk stabilization exercises are started 4–8 weeks post operation. Return to sport depends on the following five criteria:
-
1.
Complete the appropriate level of stabilization program
-
2.
Be in excellent aerobic conditioning compatible with the sport
-
3.
Work with the coaching staff and training staff in a series of sport-specific exercises for the individual sport
-
4.
Return slowly to the sport with playing time or position changes as needed and specific to the sport
-
5.
Maintain the same level of stabilization training after return to the sport for at least 1 year
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
De Maeseneer N, Lenchik L, Everaert H, et al. Evaluation of lower back pain with bone scintigraphy and SPECT. Radiographics. 1999;19:901–12.
Spencer CW, Jackson DW. Back injuries in the athlete. Clin Sports Med. 1983;2:191–215.
Watkins R. Spinal exercise program. In: Watkins R, et al., editors. The spine in sports. St. Louis: Mosby-Year Book, Inc.; 1996.
Klein G, Mehlman CT, McCarty M. Nonoperative treatment of spondylolysis and grade I spondylolisthesis in children and young adults: a meta-analysis of observational studies. J Pediatr Orthop. 2009;29:146–56.
Sys J, Michielsen J, Bracke P, et al. Nonoperative treatment of active spondylolysis in elite athletes with normal X-ray findings: literature review and results of conservative treatment. Eur Spine J. 2001;10:498–504.
Radcliff KE, Kalantar SB, Reitman CA. Surgical management of spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in athletes: indications and return to play. Cur Sports Med Rep. 2009;8:35–40.
Johnson JR, Kirwan EO. The long-term results of fusion in situ for severe spondylolisthesis. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1983;65B:43–6.
Prasartitha T. Surgical repair of pars defects in spondylolisthesis. J Med Assoc Thai. 2001;84:1235–40.
Debnath UK, Freeman BJC, Gregory P, et al. Clinical outcome and return to sport after the surgical treatment of spondylolysis in young athletes. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2003;85-B:244–9.
Chang JH, Lee CH, Wu SS, et al. Management of multiple level spondylolysis of the lumbar spine in young males: a report of six cases. J Formos Med Assoc. 2001;100:497–502.
Gillet P, Petit M. Direct repair of spondylolysis without spondylolisthesis, using rod-screw construct and bone grafting of the pars defect. Spine. 1999;24:1252–6.
Dai LY, Jia LS, Yuan W, et al. Direct repair of defect in spondylolysis and mild isthmic spondylolisthesis by bone grafting, with or without facet fusion. Eur Spine J. 2001;10:78–83.
Watkins RG, Hanna R, Chang D, Watkins RG. Return outcomes following microscopic lumbar discectomy in professional athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2012;40:2530–35.
Hsu WK, McCarthy KJ, Savage JW, Roberts DW, Roc GC, Micev AJ, Terry MA, Gryzlo SM, Schafer MF. The Professional Athlete Spine Initiative: outcomes after lumbar disc herniation in 342 elite professional athletes. Spine J. 2011;11(3):180–6.
Rubery PT, Bradford DS. Athletic activity after spine surgery in children and adolescents: results of a survey. Spine. 2002;27:423–7.
Vaccaro AR, Watkins B, Albert TJ, et al. Cervical spine injuries in athletes: current return-to-play criteria. Orthopedics. 2001;24:699–703.
Williams RW. Microcervical foraminotomy: a surgical alternative for intractable radicular pain. Spine. 1983;8:708–16.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Watkins, R., Watkins, R. (2014). Return to Play After Spinal Surgery. In: Micheli, L., Stein, C., O'Brien, M., d’Hemecourt, P. (eds) Spinal Injuries and Conditions in Young Athletes. Contemporary Pediatric and Adolescent Sports Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4753-5_20
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-4753-5_20
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-4752-8
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-4753-5
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)