Neck fracture (cervical spine fracture)
Content:
- Causes of the neck fracture
- Neck fracture symptoms
- Types of neck fracture
- Neck fracture diagnosis and treatment
A fracture of the cervical spine is considered one of the most dangerous injuries. This is due to the fact that as a result of this injury, the spinal cord can be damaged, which in turn causes complete paralysis of the body or even death of a person. However, a neck fracture is not a damage that is incompatible with life. The help provided to the victim in time allows avoiding serious consequences.
The upper spine includes 7 cervical vertebrae. The first 3 of them are injured much less often than the others, but such fractures are the most severe. The first cervical vertebra, known as the atlas, surrounds the spinal cord and connects to the skull differently from the other vertebrae. The peculiarity lies in the absence of a disc, which acts as a shock absorber when exposed to the cervical spine. This leads to the fact that with sufficient force of impact, the first vertebra easily breaks.
Causes of the neck fracture
- Car accident. In road traffic accidents, a fracture of the cervical spine is not uncommon. In most cases, this damage is the result of a sharp throwing back of the head. This happens, as a rule, in a sharp collision with another car, while the victim's vehicle is in front. As a result of a strong blow, the head moves forward by inertia for some time, while the rest of the body remains motionless and thus serves as a fulcrum. The neck bends sharply, and the cervical vertebrae or intervertebral discs are crushed. In such situations, the first vertebrae are most often affected.
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sharp movements of the neck. A simple turn of the head can cause a fracture in the cervical spine. The risk group in this case includes athletes: gymnasts, football players, hockey players, as well as those who like to stretch with pleasure or actively stretch out. For this reason, any exercises involving the cervical spine must be performed with utmost care. You cannot throw your head back sharply or turn your head quickly.
- falls from great heights. Diving from significant heights can lead to neck fractures. It is especially dangerous to perform them in an unfamiliar place, since if the depth turns out to be small, when hitting the bottom, it is the upper spine that suffers to a greater extent.
Neck fracture symptoms
With a fracture, the victim experiences pains of varying strength in the upper spine. The movements that he can make with his neck are significantly limited. Since the spinal cord can be affected in a fracture, neurological damage occurs. They lead to loss of sensation in the limbs or paralysis. The pain is permanent, and its intensity depends on the degree of the fracture. In the region of the cervical spine, hematoma and edema are formed. Neck injuries are classified as closed fractures, so no other external observations are observed.
Types of neck fracture
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The Jefferson Fracture. In this case, the first cervical vertebra, the atlas, is injured. This type of fracture is caused by a direct blow to the head or from a fall. The victim experiences pain in the neck, back of the head. The posterior and anterior arch of the first cervical vertebra breaks, which becomes noticeable on an x-ray. The damage often affects the spinal cord and rarely the medulla oblongata. Computed tomography allows you to accurately diagnose Jefferson's fracture. If the spinal cord is affected, special treatment is required.
- fracture of the "executioner". This type of injury is also known as spondylolisthesis. With this injury, the cervical vertebra changes its position relative to the other, lying below, and shifts in one of the directions: forward, backward, sideways. The cause of the injury is a sudden movement of the neck or a strong impact on the upper spine, for example, in a car accident. To diagnose the "executioner" fracture, lateral and direct radiography is performed.
- fracture of the second cervical vertebra. The cause of this injury is the sharp bending of the neck. At the time of injury, the victim often loses consciousness. The main symptom is a sharp pain in the neck. Depending on the degree of the fracture, there may be a violation of the sensitivity of the limbs. In severe cases, paralysis is possible. Fracture of the second cervical vertebra of the third degree is fatal.
Neck fracture diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of a fracture of the cervical spine is carried out using X-rays. If there is a fear that the spinal cord has been damaged as a result of an injury, computed tomography is additionally performed.
The treatment that the doctor prescribes is largely determined by the nature of the injury and its consequences. Paralysis or spinal cord injury requires a special approach and long-term rehabilitation. At the same time, complete recovery may never occur, and the patient remains disabled. However, in most cases, the main measure is to immobilize the neck, for which a collar or bandage is used. Complete bone fusion takes several months. Compression fracture or displacement requires surgery. During it, fragments are removed, and the required position of the bones is restored. A metal splint is used to fix the cervical vertebrae.
In the process of bone fusion with a neck fracture, the muscles weaken and atrophy. Therefore, a long rehabilitation period is required, during which the patient must perform special exercises. Only a doctor can recommend specific exercises. The first few sessions are carried out under his supervision. Typically, gymnastics includes head tilts back and forth and to the sides, as well as circular rotations.
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In addition, neck fracture sufferers will benefit from massage to develop and tone muscles. Various ointments can help eliminate edema.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich | Orthopedist
Education: diploma in the specialty "General Medicine" received in 2009 at the Medical Academy. I. M. Sechenov. In 2012 completed postgraduate studies in Traumatology and Orthopedics at the City Clinical Hospital named after Botkin at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Disaster Surgery.
