Spear Tackler’s Spine
Imaging Plain radiographs—cervical stenosis, posttraumatic changes, loss of normal cervical lordosis, caused by repeated axial loading and microtrauma to spinal structures. It is usually irreversible; a straightened cervical spine is at risk of permanent neurologic injury with further axial loading—the combination of STS and head-first tackling is extremely dangerous; this type of injury is an absolute contraindication to further participation in contact sports