Working Diagnosis:
Spinal cord contusion.
Central canal stenosis secondary to disc bulge.
Treatment:
Short course of oral steroids.
Pain control with Acetaminophen, Tramadol for breakthrough pain. Pregabalin for neurogenic pain.
Physical therapy, worked on gentle range of motion of his cervical spine, as well as strengthening.
Outcome:
Over the next month, his shoulder dysesthesias decreased to "minimal." He eventually required no further medications for pain. However, he decided to medically retire from football.
Author's Comments:
Spinal cord contusion injuries can be mistaken for the more common and transient peripheral nerve stingers. Proper evaluation of patient history and physical examination may help to prevent potentially catastrophic spinal cord re-injury due to premature re-entry into athletic competition.
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