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Spinal Injuries In The Overhead Athlete – Lumbar Disc Replacement

The article discusses the importance of a systematic approach in treating overhead athletes to accurately diagnose their injuries, provide effective treatment, and facilitate a safe return to sport. Recent findings highlight the success rates and return to play effectiveness of various cervical and lumbar surgeries. Cervical foraminotomy has been shown to have the highest rate and fastest return to play, but with a higher need for revision surgery. Cervical artificial disc replacement shows promise but carries an unknown risk for failure. Cervical fusion is a well-established treatment but has a longer healing time and risk for adjacent level pathology. In the lumbar spine, discectomy is commonly performed, fusion is rare but effective, and artificial disc replacement is extremely rare in elite athletes. A comprehensive approach is necessary to diagnose, treat, and ensure the successful return of overhead athletes to competitive play

Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : best rated treatment facility in London

Published article

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Treatment of overhead athletes requires a systematic approach that will make an accurate diagnosis, deliver effective treatment, and make timely and safe return to sport.

Lumbar Disc Replacement Surgery Expert. Best Spinal Surgeon UK
Abstract Purpose of review: Treatment of overhead athletes requires a systematic approach that will make an accurate diagnosis, deliver effective treatment, and make timely and safe return to sport. Recent findings: New data has shown success rates and return to play effectiveness after different types of cervical and lumbar surgery. Cervical foraminotomy has been shown,

Abstract

Purpose of review: Treatment of overhead athletes requires a systematic approach that will make an accurate diagnosis, deliver effective treatment, and make timely and safe return to sport.

Recent findings: New data has shown success rates and return to play effectiveness after different types of cervical and lumbar surgery. Cervical foraminotomy has been shown to have the highest rate and fastest return to play, but with the highest incidence of need for revision surgery. Cervical artificial disc replacement has shown promising results in the general population and is being done more commonly in elite athletes, but has an unknown risk for failure. Cervical fusion is a well-established and effective treatment, but has the longest healing time and risk for adjacent level pathology. In the lumbar spine, discectomy has a long and proven track record, fusion is rarely performed but can be effective, and artificial disc replacement is extremely rare in an elite athlete. An effective and comprehensive approach can diagnose, treat, and return overhead athletes to competitive play.

Keywords: Athlete; Cervical; Lumbar; Overhead; Spine; Sport.

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Spinal Injuries in the Overhead Athlete

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

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Abstract Purpose of review: Treatment of overhead athletes requires a systematic approach that will make an accurate diagnosis, deliver effective treatment, and make timely and safe return to sport. Recent findings: New data has shown success rates and return to play effectiveness after different types of cervical and lumbar surgery. Cervical foraminotomy has been shown

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