How do cervical vertebra fractures occur ? What are the consequences of such injuries? We will answer these and other questions in this article.
Basic information
Fractures of the cervical vertebrae are very dangerous, as they can cause disability or death of the victim.
The human neck is a complex natural mechanism that performs many functions. The most important role in this is played by muscles, cartilage, ligaments and bones. In the cervical spine there are seven vertebrae. As you know, they are separated by the so-called intervertebral discs and fastened by a whole system of ligaments.
What are vertebrae necessary for? Specialists claim that they are designed to protect the bone marrow. As for the disks, this is a shock-absorbing component due to which the movements of the body and head are made.
In connection with the foregoing, it can be safely noted that fractures of the cervical vertebrae are a rather serious injury. Very often it does not respond to treatment and recovery.
The structure of the cervical spine
What can cause a fracture of the cervical vertebra? The consequences of this injury will be presented below.
According to experts, the considered part of the skeleton is divided into three columns:
- The anterior column consists of 2/3 of the vertebrae, one ligament of the fibrous ring and intervertebral discs.
- The middle column is the posterior third of the vertebrae, one ligament of the fibrous ring and intervertebral discs.
- The posterior column is the processes, arches, spinous processes and plates.
If the injury occurred on one column, the two remaining can prevent injury to the spinal cord. If two structures are violated, then the spine is divided in two. In this case, there is a real danger of a brain rupture.
In the anatomy of the vertebrae, it is customary to designate the letter C, as well as serial numbers (1-7). Consider their features in more detail:
- C1. He is called Atlant. It consists of 2 arches, which are connected by lateral masses. It is generally believed that it is the atlas that holds the human head. In reality, he acts as a link between the skull and spine.
- C2. Its name sounds like an epistrophy. In the womb, this vertebra is connected to the atlas by a tooth-like formation. Sometimes it is called spinous, since around it, as around the axis, the atlas rotates.
- C3-C6 have no names. These are small sized short vertebrae with processes. It is in this part of the spinal column that various injuries most often occur.
- C7 is a protruding vertebra. It is equipped with a long process, which is well palpated in the lower part of the neck.
Causes of Cervical Vertebra Injury
Why do cervical vertebra fractures occur? Most often, such injuries are formed due to the strongest mechanical influences. The reason for this may be various accidents or careless behavior of a person. For example, a compression fracture of the cervical vertebrae is formed when falling from a great height, head down. Also, a similar injury can happen if a heavy object falls on a person’s head. Often such fractures affect children who have fallen from balconies, tall trees, attics, or athletes.
Fractures of the second vertebra occur due to car accidents. This is due to the fact that with a sharp blow to the lower region of the face, a trauma to the dentoid process occurs . Moreover, its strong displacement into the body of the spinal cord often leads to the death of the victim. By the way, traffic accidents are a fairly common cause of spinal fractures.
Damage to the 3-5th vertebrae can occur due to sports injuries, the consequences of car accidents and strong blows to the neck.
Damage to the 5-6th cervical vertebrae is very often formed during diving, when a person did not calculate the depth of the jump and hit his head on the bottom or pitfalls.
Why does a fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra occur? Such an injury is possible with severe falls and bumps (for example, in accidents, falls in football or hockey, domestic accidents, criminal situations, etc.).
Symptoms and signs of damage
Fracture of the 6th cervical vertebra or others is not difficult to notice . This is due to the fact that in most cases the signs of such damage are pronounced.
A common symptom of such injuries is a significant, as well as gradually increasing pain at the fracture site. It should be noted that for different injuries more specific signs may be characteristic:
- With an atlas fracture, not only the entire cervical region, but also the back of the head hurts.
- With an injury to the 2nd vertebra, a person cannot rotate his head, and in more complex cases, he suffers from paralysis.
- If the 3rd vertebra is damaged, it is impossible or very difficult to move the neck and head.
- Fracture of the 4 cervical vertebra, as well as the 5th and 6th makes itself felt by edema and sharp pain at the site of injury. Also, with such injuries, it is impossible to move the head, shoulders and neck. In this case, neurological abnormalities may occur.
- As for the fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra, this is the only injury that can be seen with the naked eye, especially if it was displaced.
How is it diagnosed?
It is impossible to independently diagnose a fracture of the 5th cervical vertebra or any other. Identify such an injury to the spinal column can only an experienced specialist, relying on external signs. It should be noted that even a qualified doctor can not always make the correct diagnosis, based only on the symptoms. Therefore, many specialists send their patients for radiography. The fracture of the atlas is especially clearly visible in the picture.
It should also be noted that today, to detect such an injury, the method of magnetic resonance imaging is actively used.
First aid
What measures should be taken to help a person with a possible injury to the cervical spine? An important point in this case is the correct first aid. Experienced traumatologists with a suspected neck fracture do not advise moving the victim until an ambulance arrives, as well as trying to independently determine the type of injury received by palpating the patient’s head or neck. This is primarily due to the fact that an unskilled person can provoke damage to the spinal cord, as well as worsen the displacement of the vertebrae.
Fracture of the cervical vertebra: treatment
After the ambulance arrives, the victim is required to fix the cervical spine through a special collar, and then take him to the hospital and take an x-ray.
Having identified the nature of the fracture and the vertebra that was damaged, the doctor should prescribe treatment. Therapy of this condition involves the immobility of the patient, which allows the bones to completely heal. Thus, for several months, the victim’s neck is held in one position using a Shants collar. Also, sometimes the patient is in Glisson loops for a long time .
In compression fractures, as well as in the separation of bone fragments, a surgical operation is performed. If the damage was very severe, then specialists use the modern method, which involves replacing the injured intervertebral disc or vertebra with a telescopic prosthesis.
The consequences of a neck fracture
What are the consequences of a fracture of the cervical vertebra? Such injuries are dangerous primarily because a person can suffer a spinal cord. Often, pointed fragments, formed as a result of bone destruction, pierce directly into the body of the brain, thereby causing instant paralysis or even death of the patient.
With paralysis, the human spine is beneficially affected by therapeutic massages and physical education. If the injury was not too severe, then such measures pretty well help the victim recover. However, it should be noted that most often such fractures are very strong and serious, and therefore incurable.
Injury prevention
How to avoid a fracture of the cervical vertebrae? Prevention of such injuries involves the avoidance of dangerous cases. Experts do not recommend people diving or swimming in unknown places. Also, when repairing or playing sports, all safety rules must be observed. By the way, these rules should be sure to educate children from a very young age.
If a person’s work is associated with height or dangerous tricks, then he needs to develop the stability of the cervical spine to various injuries. For example, daily gymnastics or any other physical exercise helps strengthen ligaments and muscles. Also good in this regard are yoga and exercises with dumbbells.
Thus, regular training and exercises, as well as good nutrition and multivitamin complexes, will help a person strengthen his skeleton and muscular-ligamentous apparatus, which will not allow the development of sad consequences in unexpected situations.