Football Star's Retirement May Reflect Growing Spinal Injury Awareness in the N.F.L.

News Release: Football Injuries - starbuzz.ca@gmail.com - Gmail [mail.google.com]

The recent retirement of Giants running back David Wilson, only 23 and in the midst of a great career, may reflect the NFL's heightened awareness of neck and spinal injuries among its players. Wilson was found to have spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal enveloping the spinal cord, a defect he was likely born with. The team's physician stated that after examining Wilson's "neck stinger" that occurred during practice, he "let David know that by playing, he would be putting himself at risk for more episodes...perhaps something more serious." Athletes with spinal stenosis who experience one neuropraxic event are at drastically greater risk of more significant injury, data shows. In a tearful public farewell, Wilson stated, "These are tears of joy, man...Don't for a second you all think that I'm pitying myself or sad, because I got to live my dream."  Despite Wilson's heartache, this could be a positive sign for professional football. The NFL has come under fire in recent years for its perceived negligence in protecting players from its spinal and brain injury.

Sources: 1) "David Wilson's Retirement From N.F.L. Raises Injury Awareness," by Zach Schonbrun, NYTimes.com, August 5, 2014; 2) "Giants RB David Wilson out for 2014, advised to never play football again," by John Breech, CBSSports.com, August 4, 2014; "Giants RB David Wilson delivers emotional, eloquent farewell message," by Ryan Wilson, CBSSports.com, August 6, 2014.

For more information on health and safety visit the Ontario Chiropractic Association 
Web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. 
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656, www.infinite-health.com 

Dr. George I. Traitses 
D.C., B.Sc.(Hon.), M.Sc., C.H.N., C.N.M., A.C.R.B. 3, C.R.A.
2914 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 206, Scarborough, Ont., Canada, M1T 3J4 
+1 (416) 499-5656 Fax: +1 (416) 499-5797