The Effects of Cervical Spine Injuries
The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae. It connects the head to the rest of the body, and supports the head.
An injury to the cervical spine is often called "whiplash". When whiplash occurs, the muscles and ligaments of the neck are typically injured. Other injuries are more severe, often caused by a violent collision. Vertebrae can fracture or even burst.
Cervical spine injuries can be quite serious. They can result in spinal cord damage causing paralysis or death. Therefore, it is important to keep a few things in mind if a person may have a spinal injury. Immediately call for medical help. Until help arrives, do not move the person. Moving them can cause further injury. Emergency technicians, however, are trained in how to properly move someone with a spinal injury.
Fractured spines are often treated with traction. Traction is inserting tongs in the skull, then attaching the tongs to a pulley. Small weights are then attached to the pulley's other end. The objective is to pull the head just far enough from the shoulders that soft tissues will push fractured bones back where they belong.
Injury to soft tissue cannot be done with regular x-rays. A dye is injected, which coats soft tissues, so that an x-ray will "see" the soft tissue. Normally, x-rays cannot pick up soft tissue.
Cervical spine injuries involving fractures are usually treated surgically. A fractured vertebra is sometimes fused to an adjoining healthy one. It could also be removed and a bone graft is used to replace it. The bone graft is also fused in place.
It is also possible to have a cervical disc herniation. Round flat discs cushion the vertebrae. If a disc is damaged, it will bulge or break open. Herniated discs are most common in the neck and lower back.
A cervical disc herniation is marked by numbness, pain or weakness in arms, hands, chest shoulders and neck. It is often treated with rest and a pain killer and/or anti-inflammatory. Special exercises may also be recommended by a doctor. Surgery will be considered if the spinal cord or nerves are being squeezed and constant pain and weakness is experienced.
Published by SE
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