Wrestling icon Sting will be forced to retire from in-ring competition due to an injury that has also taken the careers of Edge and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Sting has been diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis, and he will announce his retirement to the world at WWE’s Hall of Fame ceremony in just a few short weeks.
ThankYouSting @VinceMcMahon @TripleH @shanemcmahon @sting #WWE #RAW #ThankYouSting ???? pic.twitter.com/GjMl13LO7I
— stingicon19 (@stingicon19) March 17, 2016
What Is Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis , in the simplest of terms, occurs when the spinal cord is compressed due to a narrowing of the space within the spinal canal. The spinal canal is made up of vertebrae. These vertebrae are not enclosed pieces of bone. The type of vertebrae determines how much space is between the spinal canal and the spinal cord. In the bones that make up the cervical spine, the amount of space in the canal is the smallest.
Since there is not much room to begin with in the cervical spine, it does not take much for the spinal cord to become impinged from a narrowing of the spinal canal. The spinal cord is a series of nerves that assists in moving and feeling, and when anything compresses the spinal cord, it does not function properly. Changing the way in which the spinal cord functions can cause intense pain, muscle weakness, and stiffness.
The most common reason that cervical spinal stenosis occurs has to do with getting old. Once a person reaches the age of 50, the spinal canal does not maintain its shape as well as it did during the younger years. Bulging discs are a common occurrence of aging, and they cause the vertebrae to become altered.
In the case of professional athletes, cervical spinal stenosis is normally caused due to a build of bone on the cervical vertebrae. With more bone on the vertebrae, less room exists for the spinal cord. The build-up of bone happens due to trauma. In the case of Sting, Edge, and Austin, they have had decades of trauma on their necks. The body needs a defense mechanism, and it uses calcium deposits and ossification in order to protect the parts of the body that are constantly under a barrage of trauma. This defense mechanism is also the reason that these wrestlers had their careers ended.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cervical Spinal Stenosis
- Stiffness, pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the arms, shoulders, and/or neck
- Difficulties maintaining proper balance
- Potential for incontinence
Cervical spinal stenosis is diagnosed by first going over your medical history with a doctor. Discussion of symptoms will be an important part of this discussion. The doctor will order imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, and/or an MRI. One of these tests will be able to tell the doctor if cervical spinal stenosis is present and what is causing it.
If it is confirmed that CSS exists, treatment options will be discussed. Depending on the severity, the doctor will build a plan. In less severe cases, treatment could be as simple as medication and physical therapy. In severe cases, neck surgery will need to be performed.
No matter how severe the stenosis is, for athletes, it is a career-ender. It would only take one wrong hit for the spinal cord to be damaged in such a way that permanent disability could result. No matter how much an athlete loves the sport they are in, it is not more important than the rest of one’s life.
Wrestling Legend @Sting to Retire From @WWE (Report) #Sting https://t.co/tpRQbxSDpw pic.twitter.com/VBNsSSja4M
— TheWrap (@TheWrap) March 17, 2016
[Image Via Don Feria/AP Images for WWE]
