Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injuries in Argentine Rugby. Impact of the Measures Implemented and Their Relative Reduction in Time

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Federico Carpani
Fernando Salvat
Marcelo Saco
Nicole Farcy
Carolina Zamorano
Verónica Bruno
Mauricio Franco Farez
Martín Nogués

Abstract

Introduction: A catastrophic injury is defined as any serious trauma that involves the head, brain, spine, or spinal cord. They are life-threatening or may leave a permanent or semi-permanent disability. In Argentina, there is a high incidence of injuries.
Materials and Methods: Data obtained from a telephone survey carried out in the collaborative framework between the Union Argentina de Rugby and the Fundación para la Lucha de Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia (Fleni, by its acronym) were analyzed. We carried out a qualitative analysis of the data and their relationship to progressive changes in sports regulations.
Results: It was observed that the number of injuries remained stable year after year. When associating this fact with a sustained increase in the number of players per year, we can see a relative decrease in the risk of injury.
Conclusion: Catastrophic injuries have a great impact on the quality of life of the player and his environment. They must be considered inadmissible and the efforts must be increased to achieve zero risk. In recent years, multiple preventive measures have been implemented and regulations have been modified in order to avoid catastrophic injuries.

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How to Cite
Carpani, F., Salvat, F., Saco, M., Farcy, N., Zamorano, C., Bruno, V., Farez, M. F., & Nogués, M. (2021). Catastrophic Spinal Cord Injuries in Argentine Rugby. Impact of the Measures Implemented and Their Relative Reduction in Time. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 86(3), 335-341. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2021.86.3.1154
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Federico Carpani, Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fernando Salvat, Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Marcelo Saco, Medical Department, Argentina Rugby Union (UAR), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Medical Department, Argentina Rugby Union (UAR), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Nicole Farcy, CEBES, Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina

CEBES, Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Carolina Zamorano, CEBES, Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina

CEBES, Center for Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Verónica Bruno, Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, (Calgary, Canada)

Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, (Calgary .Canada)

Mauricio Franco Farez, Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina CONICET, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Martín Nogués, Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Department of Neurology, FLENI, Institute of Neurological Research “Raúl Carrea”, Belgrano Headquarters, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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