Does the Level of Cervical Disc Herniation Surgery Affect Performance-based Outcomes in National Football League Athletes?
A uniquely high percentage of upper-level disc herniations develop in NFL athletes, and although CDH injuries present career threatening implications, an upper-level CDH does not preclude a player from successfully returning to play at a competitive level. In fact, these athletes showed comparable postsurgical performance to those athletes who underwent CDH procedures at lower cervical levels.
A biopsy-induced inflammatory response may facilitate the preparation of the endometrium for implantation. Increased MIP-1B expression could possibly serve for prediction of implantation competence.