Cervical spinal cord injuries often involve permanent complete or partial loss of sensory function , and many associated complications. As is the case with all injuries of the spinal cord, injuries located higher on the spine will be more severe, with high cervical spinal cord injury often being fatal.
What happens if cervical spine is injured?
Emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident may include: Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back. Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body. Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.
What causes a cervical spine injury?
Trauma is the most common cause of cervical injury, and this can include motor vehicle accidents, falls, penetrating or blunt trauma, sports-related or diving injuries.  Nontraumatic causes can include compression fractures from osteoporosis, arthritis, or cancer and inflammation of the spinal cord.
What are cervical injuries?
Cervical spinal cord injuries are typically the most severe type of spinal cord injuries. They may result in quadriplegia or tetraplegia with associated loss of muscle strength in all four extremities. Based on the extent of the injury, cervical spinal cord injuries can be complete or incomplete.
How do you treat a cervical spine injury?
First aid measures of early closed reduction or realignment and immobilization of the cervical spine, breathing support and high-dose methylprednisolone were most important in the treatment for traumatic spinal cord injury. Surgery should be performed as soon as the indications of spinal injury appear.
How do you manage cervical spine injury?
Treatment options. Possible therapeutic options include early functional conservative management with external immobilization using a cervical collar with different degrees of rigidity, Halo vest immobilization as well as anterior and/or posterior stabilization with decompression if indicated.
Can cervical spine injury cause death?
The large number of patients with this injury treated in our Institute, demonstrates the rather high overall mortality, amounting to 17 per cent. Pulmonary complications are the commonest cause of death in patients with cervical spine trauma, constituting more than 75 per cent of deaths.
How can I permanently relieve cervical pain?
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While some types of NSAIDs are available over the counter, you may need prescription-strength versions to relieve the pain and inflammation associated with cervical spondylosis.
- Corticosteroids. …
- Muscle relaxants. …
- Anti-seizure medications. …
What is the highest level of cervical spine?
High-Cervical Nerves (C1-C4)
The C1 and C2 vertebrae form the top of the spine (neck) at the base of the skull. These bones are named atlas and axis respectively and support the pivot motion of the neck. Injuries to the spinal cord at the C1 & C2 levels are rare, extremely severe, and most often fatal.
What is the most common neck injury?
Trauma, such as from a broken neck, neck sprain, or whiplash, is the most common cause of neck injury. Car and other motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports-related impact are examples of trauma. They may cause soft tissue injuries to the neck muscles, or fractures of the spine.
When should I worry about neck injury?
One of the more concerning possible symptoms of neck injuries is tingling and numbness in limbs. If you start to feel a numbing sensation or that “pins and needles” feeling in your arms or legs after a neck injury, then it’s best to consult a doctor.
Are neck fractures serious?
A fractured vertebrae in the neck is a very serious condition which can result in paralysis and even death. It is important to seek medical help immediately when a neck fracture is suspected and to prevent any movement after the injury to stop further complications.