Is it possible to play professional football again after cervical disc arthroplasty?

This is the title of the study that Dr. Raúl Zapata, fifth year resident of Hospital SETRADE, held in Malaga on April 7 and 8. The defended communication was prepared jointly with Dr. Tomás Losa, MIR R3, Dr. Eduardo Hevia, traumatologist of the Spine unit and the Dr. Fernando Ordoñez, head of the Column unit.

The SETRADE Congress brings together traumatologists specialized in sports injuries. Under the motto “Joint Instability and Sports”, an interesting scientific program has been developed referring to injuries to most joints, led by a group of national and international speakers of recognized prestige and opinion leaders in their respective facets.

In the dissertation Dr. Zapata presented the case of a professional athlete, central defensive player of a soccer team, who suffered a cervical disc herniation and was treated at the FM Habana Hospital with a disc prosthesis.

Cervical disc arthroplasty can be a satisfactory treatment option for athletes with cervical disc disease, allowing an early return to sports practice without sequelae, since it is a technique without limitation of the mobility.

This type of surgery allows early performance of exercises and activities, and does not require a postoperative collar.

In the conclusions of the case, he shared the results with a complete recovery in a few weeks, as well as the rapid incorporation into the team, remaining active and starting as a central defender. Three years later it continues at the same level without complications, confirming the success of the treatment.