Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has spent more time off the ice than on it in the past year. Sidelined for the bulk of 2011 following a concussion, Crosby returned to play in November in signature fashion, scoring two goals and adding two assists as the Penguins beat the New York Islanders. But by December, Crosby was sidelined again and he hasn't played since.

Crosby has been experiencing symptoms he has described as similar to those he dealt with following last year's concussion, saying he "just didn't feel right" the day after his last game, Dec. 5 against the Boston Bruins. Crosby has been followed by his medical team in Pittsburgh and has been undergoing physical therapy, making progress along the way, since that time.

However, after Crosby sought an additional opinion last month at the recommendation of his agent, Pat Brisson, there was suddenly much public discussion about what was the actual nature of Crosby's injury. The final consensus from Crosby's medical team and a third independent party, Philadelphia-based spinal surgeon Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, is that Crosby is dealing with a soft-tissue injury in his neck and he is continuing to progress with his rehabilitation efforts.

So why is this injury, which sounds at once benign (soft tissue) and sinister (neck), so difficult to grasp? And why, if it isn't particularly serious, is it proving to be such a hurdle for Crosby to overcome? The answers are simultaneously straightforward and complex.

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