The article discusses the issue of return-to-play (RTP) after cervical spine surgery in athletes involved in high-contact sports, particularly martial arts. The authors performed a systematic review of literature and included eight articles in which operative treatment for the cervical spine was performed and return to martial art activity was declared. The results show that approximately 88% of martial arts practitioners returned to play after cervical spine surgery, with no major complications reported. The most common procedure used was anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, the level of evidence in the included articles is low, with only case reports available, and the data are heterogeneous. The authors conclude that while return to martial arts within one year after cervical spine surgery is generally safe, further studies are needed to confirm these findings in a larger population
Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : most experienced spinal hospital on Harley Street UK
Published article
Background: Cervical spine injuries are considered common in athlete populations, especially in those involved in high-contact sports. In some cases, surgical treatment can be necessary, and, therefore, return-to-play (RTP) after surgery represent a notable issue. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature according to the PRISMA statement guidelines using the following search algorithm: ((“ACDF”) OR (“cervical spine surgery”) OR (“neck surgery”) OR (“cervical discectomy”) OR…
Cervical Disc Replacement Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Background: Cervical spine injuries are considered common in athlete populations, especially in those involved in high-contact sports. In some cases, surgical treatment can be necessary, and, therefore, return-to-play (RTP) after surgery represent a notable issue. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature according to the PRISMA statement guidelines using the following search algorithm:,
Abstract
Background: Cervical spine injuries are considered common in athlete populations, especially in those involved in high-contact sports. In some cases, surgical treatment can be necessary, and, therefore, return-to-play (RTP) after surgery represent a notable issue. Methods: We performed a systematic review of literature according to the PRISMA statement guidelines using the following search algorithm: ((“ACDF”) OR (“cervical spine surgery”) OR (“neck surgery”) OR (“cervical discectomy”) OR (“foraminotomy”) OR (“cervical disc replacement”)) AND ((“return to play”) OR (“athlete”) OR (“contact sports”) OR (“martial arts”)). The search was performed on 21 October 2022. We included only articles in which operative treatment for the cervical spine was performed and return to martial art activity was declared in the text. Results: Eight articles were selected, including 23 athletes who practice wrestling (n = 16), kickboxing (n = 1), sumo (n = 1) or other unspecified martial arts (n = 5). We also included the case of a young judoka who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at our hospital. About 88% (21 of 24 cases) of martial arts practitioners returned to play after cervical spine surgery, and no major complications were reported after RTP. Four patients (16.7%) returned in 0-3 months; 41.7% (10 of 24) returned in 3-6 months; 29.2% (7 of 24) returned after a period longer than 6 months. ACDF is the most used procedure. The level of evidence in the included articles is low: only case reports are available, including some single-case studies. Moreover, a small number of cases have been reported, and the examined data are very heterogeneous. Conclusions: Return to martial arts within one year after cervical spine surgery is generally safe, even if case-by-case evaluation is, however, necessary. Further studies are necessary to corroborate the present findings in a larger population.
Keywords: ACDF; cervical disc herniation; contact sports; myelopathy; trauma.
The London Spine Unit : most experienced spinal hospital on Harley Street UK
Read the original publication:
Return to Martial Arts after Surgical Treatment of the Cervical Spine: Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature for an Evidence-Based Approach
