Neurosurgery
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Meta Analysis
Treatment Outcomes in American Football Players After Intervertebral Disk Herniation: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
American football players are at increased risk for many forms of spinal injury. Intervertebral disk herniations are particularly concerning as they are the leading cause of days lost to injury and can have long-term effects on player careers. Disk herniation management plays a major role in the likelihood and success of return-to-play (RTP). ⋯ Disk herniations are a common injury, with surgery potentially improving post-treatment outcomes. The literature suffers from heterogeneous definitions of RTP and varying performance metrics, making it difficult to draw clear conclusions. To better understand the impact of disk herniation and treatment on player health and performance, more studies should be performed prospectively and with standardized metrics.