Cervical spine Flexion-Distraction fracture in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling and submission-focused combat sport which has the lowest reported competition injury rate in when compared to other martial arts. Cervical injuries account for only a small portion of all injuries in BJJ and most injuries are minor; serious injuries have only rarely been reported. We present a case of a flexion-type cervical fracture dislocation injury during BJJ training to highlight the possibility of this injury in this martial arts discipline and to review the literature surrounding serious cervical spine injury in BJJ. This is the first such documented BJJ-related injury of its kind.

Keywords

• Flexion-Distraction fracture
• Cervical spine
• Case report