Spine concerns in the Special Olympian with Down syndrome. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev 2008 Mar;16(1):55-60
Date
02/16/2008Pubmed ID
18277263DOI
10.1097/JSA.0b013e3181629ac4Scopus ID
2-s2.0-39149109251 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 25 CitationsAbstract
As with any child participating in sports, the safety of The Special Olympian participating in athletics is paramount. The preparticipation medical clearance is necessary to ensure these athletes' safety. In response to evidence that 15% of all individuals with Down syndrome have atlanto-occipital and/or atlanto-axial instability or subluxation, the Special Olympics Inc have additionally mandated preparticipation spine clearance for all individuals with Down syndrome. Spine clearance for the Special Olympian is challenging for the healthcare provider. In addition, controversy has arisen surrounding The Special Olympics Inc policy statement. The purposes of this article are to provide healthcare providers with a review of atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial instability and subluxation, review spine clearance guidelines, discuss the details and controversy surrounding The Special Olympics Inc mandate, and provide recommendations on how to improve screening and ensure safety of the participants based on the current medical literature.
Author List
Tassone JC, Duey-Holtz AAuthor
J Channing Tassone MD Professor in the Orthopaedic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Atlanto-Axial JointAtlanto-Occipital Joint
Cervical Vertebrae
Disabled Persons
Down Syndrome
Health Status
Humans
Joint Instability
Risk Factors
Spinal Diseases
Sports
Sports Medicine