Andersson’s hit to Laine’s head – Dr. Wilson REACTS

Again, welcome back everyone. In this video we will take a look the play where Rasmus Andersson’s elbow makes contact with the side of Patrik Laine’s head.

My name is Dr. Stefan Wilson and if you like the explanation of sports injuries then please like and subscribe to learn more.

On Friday night Patrik Laine of the Columbus Bluejackets is skating through the neutral zone when Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames comes across the ice and bodychecks the unsuspecting Laine. But when Andersson delivers the bodycheck, the point of contact ends up being the side of Laine’s head. Andersson also leaves his feet and leads with his elbow. Keep in mind Liane is 6’5 and Andersson is only 6’1.
When Andersson’s left elbow strikes the right side of Laine’s head this causes the bigger man to fall to the ice. Laine was in some distress and slow to get up. It was later revealed that Laine would not travel on Saturday and would not be able to play as he is listed as day-to-day. There is also no report of his specific injury so the information that is currently available is minimal. We do know that the principle point of contact was an elbow to the side of Laine’s head and Laine is now listed as having an upper body injury.

The first concern with any blow to the head is of course a concussion. When Laine went to the dressing room last night the Bluejackets medical personal would have been quick to evaluate him for a potential concussion. He may also have received x-rays to his neck checking for any type of fracture. With the point of contact being close to Laine’s right shoulder, an injury such a sprained AC joint or separated shoulder is always a consideration. Certainly a neck or cervical spine strain is probably a given as Laine’s head is forcefully pushed overtop of his left shoulder. When this happens it can cause a common injury in sports often referred to as a stinger or a burner. Which is essentially the stretching and irritation of the bundle of nerves that exit the side of your neck and run down into your arm. This bundle of nerves is called your cervical plexus. It would be painful to have this happen and you can also have neurological symptoms down into your arm and hand such pain, weakness, numbness or any other type of altered sensation known as a parasthesia.

I would suspect Laine will miss some time, but as he is listed as day-to-day and he was able to leave the ice on his own last night so I do not think we will be out for any extended length of time. Perhaps a few games.