What is Spear Tackler’s Spine

Spear tackler’s spine is an injury in which the spine in the neck (cervical spine) loses its normal curve and becomes unusually narrow.

This happens when you use the “spear” tackling technique, in which the head is the first point of contact. Spear tackler’s spine can damage nerves and soft tissue near the cervical spine.

You may not participate in contact sports while you have this condition. In some cases, the spine may return to its normal shape, and returning to contact sports may be considered. However, athletes with this condition have a higher risk of injury.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by a direct, forceful hit or injury (trauma) to the head, neck, or spine, as a result of spear tackling.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Having an abnormally narrow cervical spine that is present at birth (congenital).
• Participating in activities or sports that have a high risk of trauma to the neck. This includes contact sports, auto racing, gymnastics, and diving.
• Using incorrect tackling technique.
• Wearing equipment that is not properly padded or does not fit correctly.
• Having osteoarthritis of the spine.
• Having poor strength and flexibility of the neck.
• Having injured your neck in the past.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Pain, stiffness, and swelling in the neck.
• Muscle spasms in the neck.
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in a hand, arm, or shoulder.
• Inability to move a hand, arm, or shoulder (paralysis).

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on your symptoms, your medical history, and a physical exam. You may have tests, including:

• X-rays.
• CT scan.
• MRI.

How is this treated?

There is no cure for this condition, but treatment can help manage symptoms. Treatment may also help the spine return to its normal shape. Treatment usually includes resting and icing the injured area, doing physical therapy exercises, and stopping all participation in contact sports. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may also include:

• Keeping your neck in place (immobilization) for periods of time. This may be done by wearing a cervical collar that supports your chin and the back of your head.
• Over-the-counter or prescription medicines that help to relieve pain and inflammation.
• Medicines that relax your muscles.

Follow these instructions at home:

If You Have a Cervical Collar:

• Do not remove the collar unless instructed by your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider before you make any adjustments to your collar.
• If you are allowed to remove the collar for cleaning or bathing, follow instructions from your health care provider about how to do so safely.
• Keep your collar clean by wiping it with mild soap and water and drying it completely. If the collar you have been given includes removable pads, remove them every 1–2 days and wash them by hand with soap and water. Let them air-dry completely before you put them back in the collar.
• If you are allowed to remove the collar for cleaning and bathing:
  • Wash and dry the skin of your neck.
  • Check your skin under the collar for irritation or sores. If you see any, tell your health care provider.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If directed, apply ice to the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• If directed, apply heat to the affected area before you exercise or as often as told by your health care provider. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
  • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
  • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.

Driving

• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a medicine to help you relax (sedative). Ask your health care provider if this applies to you.
• Do not drive while wearing a cervical collar.
• If you do not have a cervical collar, ask your health care provider if it is safe to drive while your neck heals.

Activity

• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
• Avoid activities that cause pain or make your condition worse.
• Do not lift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until your health care provider tells you that it is safe.
• Do exercises as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do not use any tobacco products, such as cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• When you sleep, use a cervical pillow or a rolled-up towel about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter instead of a regular pillow. You may also wear a soft cervical collar when you sleep, if your health care provider approves.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

How is this prevented?

• Warm up and stretch before being active.
• Cool down and stretch after being active.
• Give your body time to rest between periods of activity.
• Make sure to use equipment that fits you.
• Be safe and responsible while being active to avoid falls.
• Do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as brisk walking or water aerobics.
• Maintain physical fitness, including:
  • Strength.
  • Flexibility.
  • Cardiovascular fitness.
  • Endurance.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have symptoms that get worse or do not get better after 4 weeks of treatment.
• You have pain that gets worse or does not get better with medicine.
• You develop new, unexplained symptoms.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain.
• You develop numbness, tingling, or weakness in any part of your body.
• You develop paralysis in part of your body.

Spear Tackler’s Spine Rehab

Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do these exercises, but you should stop right away if you feel sudden pain or your pain gets worse. Do not begin these exercises until told by your health care provider.

Stretching and range of motion exercises

These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your neck. These exercises can also help to relieve pain, numbness, and tingling.

Exercise A: Chin tuck (axial extension)

1. Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand up. If you have trouble maintaining your posture, rest your back and your head against a stable wall during this exercise.
2. Look straight ahead and slowly move your chin back, toward your neck, until you feel a stretch in the back of your head.
   1. Your head should slide back.
   1. Your chin should be slightly lowered.
3. Hold for __________ seconds.
4. Return to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise B: Cervical side bend

1. Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand up.
2. Without moving your shoulders, slowly tilt your left / right ear toward your shoulder until your feel a stretch in your neck muscles. You should be looking straight ahead.
3. Hold for __________ seconds.
4. Repeat with the other side of your neck.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise C: Cervical rotation

1. Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand up.
2. Slowly turn your head to the side as if you are looking over your left / right shoulder.
   1. Keep your eyes level with the ground.
   1. Stop when you feel a stretch along the side and back of your neck.
3. Hold for __________ seconds.
4. Repeat by turning your head to the other side.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise D: Neck circles

1. Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand.
2. Slowly roll your head in a circle. Do this in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

Repeat __________ times. Complete the exercise __________ times a day.

Strengthening exercises

These exercises build strength and endurance in your neck. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after your muscles get tired.

Exercise E: Cervical flexion, isometric

1. Face a wall and stand about 6 inches (15 cm) away from it.
2. Place a soft object, about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in diameter, between your forehead and the wall. A soft object could be a small pillow, a ball, or a folded towel.
3. Tuck your chin and gently push your forehead into the soft object. Keep your jaw and forehead relaxed.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Release the tension slowly. Relax your neck muscles completely before you start the next repetition.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise F: Cervical lateral flexion, isometric

1. Stand about 6 inches (15 cm) away from a wall. Stand so your shoulder faces the wall, and look straight ahead.
2. Place a soft object, about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in diameter, between your forehead and the wall. A soft object could be a small pillow, a ball, or a folded towel.
3. Tuck your chin and gently tilt your head into the object. Keep your jaw and forehead relaxed.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Release the tension slowly. Relax your neck muscles completely before you repeat the exercise. Do this exercise on both sides of your neck.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise G: Cervical extension, isometric

1. Stand about 6 inches (15 cm) away from a wall, with your back facing the wall.
2. Place a soft object, about 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) in diameter, between the back of your head and the wall. A soft object could be a small pillow, a ball, or a folded towel.
3. Tuck your chin and gently tilt your head back into the soft object. Keep your jaw and forehead relaxed.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Release the tension slowly. Relax your neck muscles completely before repeat the exercise.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.