Head and neck injuries in young athletes

Although injuries to the head and cervical spine are considered relatively uncommon in sports medicine, they can have a major impact on the individual athlete and the sport. These injuries account for some of the most catastrophic injuries seen in all levels of athletic participation. Concussion in sports is have a major impact on professional and college levels and is reaching epidemic proportions. The effects of paralyzing neck injuries in sports are devastating and are followed closely by our national media. In this article, the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and types of injury are reviewed, with in-depth discussion of cranial and spinal injuries.