Impact of the national prevention policy and scrum law changes on the incidence of rugby-related catastrophic cervical spine injuries in French Rugby Union

• Published in: British journal of sports medicine 2018-05, Vol.52 (10), p.674-677
• Main Authors: Reboursiere, E, Bohu, Y, Retière, D, Sesboüé, B, Pineau, V, Colonna, J P, Hager, J P, Peyrin, J C, Piscione, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Athletic Injuries - prevention & control; Cervical Vertebrae - injuries; Emergency services; Football - injuries; Football - standards; France; Humans; Incidence; Injury prevention; Insurance companies; Male; Neck; Professional standards; Prospective Studies; Rugby; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Injuries - etiology; Spinal Injuries - prevention & control; Sports injuries; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096122

Background and aimsCatastrophic cervical spine injuries are rare in rugby union but require close monitoring. The aim of this study was to analyse the incidence of severe cervical spine injuries and determine the impact of a national prevention programme and new scrum rules implemented by the French Rugby Union.MethodsA prospective study was performed between 2006 and 2013 including all players affiliated to the French Rugby Union. All cervical spine injuries resulting in death, tetraplegia or a permanent neurological deficit were included. Prevention programmes were implemented from 2007 to 2013 and a change in scrum rules in 2010. To measure the impact of rule changes, results between 2006–2010 and 2010–2013 were compared using a Poisson regression.ResultsAltogether, 31 injuries were observed and the mean annual incidence was 1.6 per 100 000 players. There were significantly more injuries in senior players compared to junior players (3.5 vs 0.6 per 100 000 players; CI 95% (2.1 to 4.9) vs (0.1 to 1.0)). Incidence decreased from 1.8 in 2006 to 1.0 per 100 000 players in 2013 (p