A bruise of the cervical spine (ICD 10 S10) is considered a rather dangerous injury, which can lead to serious consequences for the body. It can block the normal functioning of muscles and mobility of the limbs, as well as disrupt blood circulation.
Such injuries need to be taken very seriously, since even the slightest bruise can lead to serious damage to the spinal cord. Similar damage is quite common. In most cases, these injuries are observed in men 35-45 years old.
Features of violation
A bruise of the cervical spine (according to ICD 10 S10) is an injury to the spinal column, in which damage to the nerve endings, muscles, and tissue necrosis is observed while maintaining the integrity of the vertebrae and spinal cord. Damage can be in patients of any age. Injuries to the neck can be complicated and uncomplicated. The most severe cases of cervical damage are accompanied by:
- pinched nerve endings and injured spinal cord;
- the formation of a hematoma on the damaged area;
- violation of the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, provoked by squeezing the spinal cord.
Injuries in which spinal deformity and lymph node contusion are observed have a mixed prognosis. The mortality rate from such injuries is more than 35%. The prognosis of life for surviving patients depends on how correctly and quickly the medical care was provided.
Bruises. Kinds
Bruising of the cervical spine (ICD code 10 S10) refers to a dangerous injury. It is subdivided into such types as:
- compression;
- without damage to the spinal cord;
- with damage.
With compression trauma of the spine, compression of the vertebrae occurs, which leads to squeezing of the spinal cord. There are many reasons for the occurrence of such an injury, but often the injury is provoked:
- car accident;
- osteoporosis;
- fall;
- unsuccessful landing on his feet.
Compression trauma is characterized by sharp and severe pain, weakness, numbness, crushing of nerve endings. The consequences can be very serious, which leads to the development of osteochondrosis, kyphoscoliosis.
A spinal injury without damage to the spinal cord is accompanied by such symptoms as:
- swelling of the soft tissues;
- pain
- the presence of hematoma and bruising.
The prognosis is quite favorable and often the signs of injury pass in 2-3 weeks. Sometimes the consequence may be post-traumatic osteochondrosis.
Bruising of the cervical spine can lead to various injuries of the spinal cord, namely:
- crushing;
- concussion;
- gap;
- hemorrhage.
Symptoms may be different, it all depends on the severity of the injury. The rehabilitation period can last up to 6 months, but the residual effects persist throughout life.
Severity
Traumatologists bruised cervical spine is divided by the severity of the injury:
- Light is characterized by the fact that damage mainly affects adjacent soft tissues. Neurological changes are absent. Recovery takes approximately 45 days.
- The average degree is diagnosed with contusion of the vertebrae with concussion of the spinal cord. Such a condition is accompanied by neurological changes that adversely affect the mobility of the affected area. The rehabilitation period takes about 4 months.
- A severe degree of damage to the spine is combined with contusion of the spinal cord. Subcutaneous hemorrhages provoked by trauma cause necrosis. In this case, there is a violation of normal microcirculation of cerebrospinal fluid, as well as a strong crushing of nerve endings. At the same time, neurological symptoms are pronounced. Rehabilitation takes 6 months, and then pathological abnormalities may occur.
Causes of injury
The main reason for the appearance of a bruise of the cervical spine is any mechanical effect, namely:
- mechanical shock;
- head hit the bottom when diving;
- domestic and sports injuries;
- car accident injuries;
- fight.
The severity of the injury is largely influenced by the age and weight of the victim, his state of health, as well as the strength and intensity of the mechanical impact.
Main symptoms
The main signs of a bruise of the cervical spine are considered as follows:
- narrowing of the pupils;
- soft tissue swelling in the affected area;
- hematoma formation;
- dizziness and loss of consciousness;
- spinal deformity.
With severe injuries, accompanied by ruptures of the spinal cord and its compression, the patient has a loss of limb sensitivity, complete respiratory arrest, respiratory failure. If emergency assistance is not provided, then the patient may simply die.
If severe pain and crunch appear in the affected area, then this can lead to very serious consequences over time. This can be a restriction of movements up to disability.
First aid
If a person has a bruise of the cervical spine, then he must first be given first aid. To do this, lay the victim on a flat, hard surface. If possible, fix the neck with a splint or with an orthopedic collar. This is necessary in order to prevent artery rupture, the risk of which increases significantly when injuring the cervical spine.
It is very important to immediately call an ambulance, as well as notify how exactly the person was injured and in what condition. Carefully inspect the victim. If he has a hematoma, then you need to attach a cold to it.
If a person’s condition is critical, then it is important to carry out resuscitation measures, including indirect heart massage and mechanical ventilation.
If it is possible to independently deliver the victim to the hospital, then during transportation it is necessary to ensure the immobility of the affected area. For this, it is recommended to use a Shants collar. Violation of this requirement can cause serious complications.
Diagnostics
Bruising of the cervical spine can be diagnosed only after a series of studies. These include:
- general inspection;
- neurological tests;
- X-ray
- tomography.
Initially, the doctor examines and interviews the patient, palpating the damaged area. Research helps establish the cause of the injury, detect chronic diseases that need to be considered when choosing a treatment strategy.
Neurological examination helps to track the violation of the sensitivity of the limbs, their mobility, as well as the deterioration of reflexes. X-ray is used to diagnose the condition of the vertebrae. It helps to identify cracks, fractures and dislocations. MRI allows you to determine damage to the membranes of the spinal cord, blood vessels, as well as the condition of the intervertebral discs.
Therapy Features
Bruising of the cervical spine is carried out in the department of neurosurgery or traumatology. Anti-shock therapy is carried out with constant monitoring of pressure, and the maintenance of the functions of damaged internal organs is also required. Anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics will help relieve painful manifestations. In addition, anticoagulants and angioprotectors are prescribed.
Many other drugs and procedures are prescribed depending on the symptoms. Basically, patients are shown massage courses, physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises and wearing a corset. According to the doctor’s prescription, for a while the bruise area is smeared with warming and painkillers. At the end of the acute period, rehabilitation measures are carried out. The operation is scheduled in exceptional cases.
Drug therapy
Since there may be quite serious consequences of a bruise of the cervical spine, treatment must be started immediately after the onset of symptoms. The main therapy is medication. In the acute period, such solutions as Polyglukin or Reopoliglukin can be prescribed. Be sure to use calcium preparations.
It is undesirable to use narcotic drugs for pain relief, since with this type of injury they can provoke an even more severe damage to the respiratory center. Therefore, doctors prescribe mainly the drug “Ketorol” and its analogues. Occasionally, Promedol may be allowed.
To normalize blood circulation, as well as prevent the occurrence of puffiness, Ethamsylate, Prodectin, and Heparin can be prescribed. To prevent the occurrence of necrosis, intravenous administration of glucose with such medicines as Cavinton, Actovegin, Cinnarizine is required. Antibacterial drugs are used to prevent inflammatory complications.
Physiotherapy
Having achieved stabilization of the patient's condition, he is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures, in particular, such as massage and physiotherapy. Be sure to need restorative exercises that are performed while lying in bed. They help strengthen muscles and normalize blood circulation.
Massage is carried out with moderate intensity, without active movements and strong pressure. To eliminate the symptoms and consequences of a bruise of the cervical spine, the doctor prescribes physiotherapeutic techniques, in particular, such as magnetotherapy, laser treatment, wave exposure.
Operation
If the hematoma at the site of the injury does not resolve for a long time, then it is emptied operatively, namely, by the puncture method. Radical measures are applied only in the most exceptional cases, if the pathological process is associated with damage to the spinal cord.
The operation is performed as soon as possible after injury. Procrastination can lead to irreversible changes or even death to the patient.
Why is timely therapy important?
The consequences of a bruise of the cervical spine can be very serious if treatment is not done in a timely manner. In the long run, they can cause very serious neurological complications. The most common are such as:
- paralysis of the limbs;
- loss of sensitivity of the skin;
- paresis;
- rachiocampsis.
Sometimes the consequences of serious injuries and bruises of the cervical spine can be very dangerous, up to a coma.