SPINAL INJURY IN CRICKET

Telltale signs that indicate a spinal injury may have occurred and should prompt you to seek early treatment 

Written by the Physiotherapy Department - McKINNON SPORTS MEDICINE

"Rob", a fast bowler playing district cricket in Melbourne, first presented to McKinnon Sports Medicine clinic in October complaining of recurrent severe low back pain, usually easing slightly with rest, but quickly increasing with increased activity.

The pain had been present last season to a lesser degree but since the commencement of pre season training this year, the pain had been more severe and quicker to appear.

"Rob" is 22 years old, tall, thin and did not play sport during the winter months. He describes his bowling action as "mixed", meaning he is front on when his back foot lands and he gets his shoulders side on during delivery. He has played cricket since the age of ten and has always bowled with this action.

Upon examination, "Rob" displayed a lack of low back flexibility, tight hamstring muscles and did not feel comfortable arching backward when asked to do so. His pain was greater on his left side and he is a right handed bowler.
"Rob" had become increasingly frustrated and at the time of his visit he was unable to play due to the discomfort involved in bowling consecutive overs, even for a very short time.

With his build, long bowling history, pain behaviour and bowing action, it was suspected that he was a high risk patient for stress fractures of the spine.

Investigation leads to proper management

Further investigation via X- ray and CT scan confirmed without doubt that this was indeed the case. "Rob" was now facing a period of rest and rehabilitation under the guidance of his doctor and physiotherapist, along with input from his coaches to modify his awkward bowling action.

This case presentation illustrates just one type of spinal injury commonly developed by cricketers. It is a stress type injury due to a variety of factors and if diagnosed relatively early - can be managed. There is a risk of this type of injury becoming more serious if ignored.

Other spinal injuries include aggravation of spinal defects found commonly from birth, soft tissue injuries such as ligament or disc damage, and occasionally muscular damage. Muscle damage is rarer than is commonly thought - muscles of the spine requiring a severe mechanism to sustain injury. They do however enter into spasm in the presence of other spinal injury which is often misread as the primary injury.

The important consideration is to properly identify the injury so as to manage safely and effectively, ensuring that serious problems are avoided early.

If you have back pain that hasn't quickly settled - consult an expert. You don't have to be a fast bowler to sustain injury, batting and fielding may also lead to injury - remember the Terry Alderman tackle?

Remember…. If in doubt, check it out!