Women’s Spinal Cord Sport Injuries

Researchers are just now starting to understand the long-term effects of injuries suffered by women basketball players. In 2019, Baylor University was the reigning champion for women’s basketball. Unfortunately, one of their best players sustained a spinal cord injury after colliding with another player during a preseason practice. This is not the first time a sports player has sustained a spinal cord injury or serious traumatic brain injury. These types of catastrophic injuries are more common than most people realize in sporting events such as women’s basketball.

Athletes are More Likely to Suffer Brain Injuries and Spinal Cord Sport Injuries

Two senior Baylor basketball players suffered injuries after they collided in a preseason basketball practice. One of the women suffered a Spinal Cord Injury Without Radiographic Abnormality, causing temporary impairment. Though she is improving, she is indefinitely off the basketball team and does not have a defined timetable for returning. The other player suffered a traumatic brain injury and experienced symptoms of concussion after the collision.

Schools Have a Duty to Protect Players From Injuries

Universities and colleges that run sports programs have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for their players. Research has shown how dangerous concussions and spinal cord injuries can be for players, even if the players appear to recover relatively quickly. Coaches, athletes, and athletic trainers should be aware of commonly accepted medical treatments for students who suffer injuries.

For example, trainers and coaches should understand how cervical spine injuries occur in sports and use proper techniques to avoid contact with the head. Coaches of football, lacrosse, and ice hockey teams should teach their players techniques for avoiding head injuries while tackling. Coaches should also stay up-to-date with pertinent safety rules enacted to prevent cervical spine injuries and concussions. Sports trainers must know how to provide critical treatment to athletes who suffer a spine or head injury to prevent more damage from happening.

Schools that offer athletic programs should have an emergency action plan in place that has been reviewed by administrators, coaches, players, and medical personnel. The emergency plan should clearly state how they will treat athletes who suffered injuries. They should avoid touching or moving athletes who could have a spinal cord injury. They should also avoid removing helmets, pads, or other equipment until qualified medical staff has assessed the patient. When schools fail to use reasonable care to protect their athletes, they may be liable for injuries sustained.