Single level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical disc herniation in a professional soccer player

J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2016 Jun;56(6):754-7. Epub 2016 Feb 19.

Abstract

A 29-year old midfielder playing professional soccer complains of neck and right shoulder pain without apparent cause. A cervical MR shows disc herniation between C4 and C5 compressing 5th nerve root. The patient undergoes surgical discectomy plus interbody fusion with autologous bone and plate fixation with unicortical screws. No surgical complication is observed and after four weeks of rest, the patient begins a specific rehabilitation program including Tecar Therapy sessions and manual passive physical therapy for six weeks. Two times a week he attends hydrokinesis sessions. After eight weeks the athlete can restart working directly on soccer field and after less than four months he is back on an official competition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletes*
  • Bone Plates
  • Cervical Vertebrae / physiopathology*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Diskectomy*
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery*
  • Male
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Rest
  • Soccer
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Treatment Outcome