Spondylotic C-3 Radiculopathy in a Professional Football Player

Abstract

In brief: Spondylotic C-3 radiculopathy resulting from a football injury occurs only rarely. In this case, a professional football player complained of pain and paresthesia over his left ear and the left side of his neck. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a prominent foraminal osteophyte at the C-2 to C-3 cervical levels. With treatment that included anti-inflammatory medication, the patient's symptoms disappeared within two weeks, and he resumed play with no return of symptoms. In addition to this case, the authors discuss the pathogenesis of spondylotic radiculopathy as well as more common football-related injuries to the cervical nerve roots and brachial plexus.