How to Evaluate Transient Quadriparesis.

In brief Three professional football players experienced transient quadriparesis secondary to transient neurapraxia of the cervical spine. One player had congenital spinal stenosis and was allowed to continue playing football. In the other two players, MRI revealed herniated disks that precluded the athletes' return to play. Before physicians can determine whether football players or other athletes should resume participation in contact sports, they must accurately evaluate the extent of the player's neurologic injury. At the minimum, the evaluation should include a detailed neurologic examination, plain radiographs, and MRI.