Maintaining neutral sagittal cervical alignment after football helmet removal during emergency spine injury management.

Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study.

Objective: To determine whether the placement of padding beneath the occiput after helmet removal is an effective intervention to maintain neutral sagittal cervical spine alignment in a position comparable with the helmeted condition.

Summary Of Background Data: Current on-field recommendations for managing football athletes with suspected cervical spine injuries call for face mask removal, rather than helmet removal, because the combination of helmet and shoulder pads has been shown to maintain neutral cervical alignment.

Functional anterior cruciate ligament bracing: a survey of current brace prescription patterns.

This study surveyed orthopedic surgeons regarding anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) bracing practices. Surveys were mailed to 1194 members of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. The return rate was 24% (n = 287).