EXPLORATION OF INJURY CHARACTERISTICS, WITH CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT OF THORACIC SPINE FRACTURES WITH STERNAL FRACTURES IN SANDA ATHLETES

Piyan Li^*

School of Physical Education, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China

Introduction: This paper aims to investigate and analyze injury characteristics, as well as classifications, and treatment of thoracic spine fractures with sternal fractures of Sanda athletes. 

Methods: A total of 180 cases of Sanda athletes with thoracic spine fractures and sternal fractures were studied. Clinical data of all cases were analyzed, which included age, gender, site of thoracic spine fractures, thoracic injury segment and type, extent of the spinal cord injury, etc. As many as 120 patients underwent surgical treatment, and 60 patients received non-surgical treatment. 

Results: The fracture types included thoracic spine compression fractures, fracture dislocation, burst fractures, and burst dislocation, with 36 (20.00%), 52 (28.89%), 60 (33.33%), and 32 cases (17.78%), respectively. According to the ASIA classification of spinal cord injuries, grades A, B, C, D, and E included 30 (16.67%), 20 (11.11%), 26 (14.44%), 15 (8.33%), and 34 cases (18.89%), respectively. Besides, the rate of spinal cord injuries was 69.44% (125/180). In the follow-up stage of the patients’ neurological recovery, among cases of spinal cord injuries, the rate of spinal cord injuries was 8.89%, with 3 (1.67%), 4 (2.22%), 4 (2.22%), 3 (1.67%), and 2 cases (1.11%) for grades A, B, C, D, and E, respectively. Results of the investigations and statistics of the patients’ daily self-care ability before and after the treatment showed a significant difference in the ADL score (P < 0.05). 

Conclusions: The main clinical features of thoracic spine fractures with sternal fractures were severe traumatic violence, spinal fractures, and severe spinal cord injuries, which could easily lead to multiple injuries. After the in-depth analysis of injury characteristics and classification of thoracic spine fractures with sternal fractures, as well as following the adoption of active and effective measures to start treatment, spinal cord injuries improved significantly, and recovery of nerve functions was promoted.