Key Components in the Acute Management of the Cervical Spine-Injured Athlete

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Presentation:

Key Components in the Acute Management of the Cervical Spine-Injured Athlete

CEUs Awarded:

1

Registration Fee:

NATA Members - $15, Non-members - $25

Date:

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Time:

11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Central (12 p.m. Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific)

Abstract:

The relative incidence of catastrophic cervical spine injury in sports is low compared to minor injuries. However, such injuries necessitate sensitive and careful management, often incorporating the combined efforts of multiple health care providers. The outcome of a catastrophic cervical spine injury is dependent on the efficiency of this management process and timeliness of transfer to a controlled environment for diagnosis and treatment. This webinar will provide a summary of the key components to the recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: On-Field Management of the Cervical Spine Injured Athlete. Specific components discussed include: Prevention strategies to reduce the incidence of cervical spine injuries in sport, Emergency planning and preparation to increase the efficiency of the management of such injuries; Considerations regarding maintaining or creating neutral alignment in the cervical spine; Considerations related to accessing the airway; Factors related to how best to stabilize and transfer an athlete with a suspected cervical spine injury; How to care for the athlete that participates in equipment-intensive sports such as football, hockey, and lacrosse; and Considerations for the emergency department.

Presenter:

Erik E. Swartz PhD, ATC

Erik E. Swartz is an Associate Professor and Clinical Coordinator in the CAAHEP accredited Athletic training program within the Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Swartz received a B.S. from St. Bonaventure University in 1995 and a M.A. through the Approved Graduate Athletic Training Program at Western Michigan University. He completed his PhD in Applied Biomechanics at the University of Toledo in May 2000. Dr. Swartz’ primary research interest involves studying the management of athletes with a cervical spine injury. Dr. Swartz has received grant awards from The NATA Research and Education Foundation and the National Organization for Standards in Athletic Equipment. He has been published in multiple journals including the Journal of Athletic Training, The American Journal of Sports Medicine, The Journal of Electromyogaphy and Clinical Neurophysiology, and Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. He has presented his research on state, regional and national levels. Dr. Swartz is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association (EATA), and the New Hampshire Athletic Trainers’ Association. He has served on the EATA’s Research Committee and the NATA Research and Education Foundation Free Communications Sub committee. He is an Editorial Board member of the Journal of Athletic Training and a section editor for Athletic Training and Sports Health Care journal. Dr. Swartz was selected to chair the writing group for the NATA Position Statement on the Management of the Cervical Spine Injured Athlete. He received the Outstanding New Investigator Research Award from the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Swartz served as the athletic trainer for the United States Pan-American 15 year-old baseball team that competed in Chiba, Japan in 1997. Dr. Swartz received a scholarship at St. Bonaventure University for NCAA Div I Men’s soccer. He and his wife Renee have a daughter, Évry, and a son, Caleb. He is a member of the Seacoast Men’s Rugby Club and enjoys fly-fishing, hiking, and golf. Email: eswartz@unh.edu

Learning Objectives:

Participants will:

1. understand the key components that should be considered for effectively managing an acute cervical spine injury
2. appreciate the role of education in helping to prevent cervical spine injuries in sport
3. be introduced to guiding principles for managing a cervical spine injury in an athlete participating in an equipment intensive sport

Athletic Training Domain:

Immediate Care

Course Level:

Advanced

Attendance Capacity:

50