How do cervical vertebrae fractures happen? 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. There are seven vertebrae in the cervical spine. As you know, they are separated by the so-called intervertebral discs and held together by a whole system of ligaments.
What are the vertebrae for? Experts say 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 torso and head are made.
In connection with all of the above, we can safely say that fractures of the cervical vertebrae are a rather serious injury. Very often it is not amenable to treatment and recovery.
Structure of the cervical spine
What can cause a fracture of the cervical vertebrae? The consequences of this injury willare shown below.
According to experts, the part of the skeleton in question is divided into three columns:
- The anterior column consists of 2/3 vertebrae, one annulus ligament and intervertebral discs.
- The middle column represents the posterior third of the vertebrae, one annulus ligament and intervertebral discs.
- The posterior column is the processes, arches, spinous processes and laminae.
If the injury occurred on one column, then the remaining two can prevent spinal cord injury. If two structures are broken, then the spine is divided in two. At the same time, there is a real danger of brain rupture.
In anatomy, vertebrae are usually denoted by the letter C, as well as serial numbers (1-7). Consider their features in more detail:
- С1. They call him Atlantis. It consists of 2 arms, which are connected by lateral masses. It is generally accepted that it is the atlas that holds the head of a person. In reality, it acts as a link between the skull and the spine.
- С2. Its name sounds like an epistrophe. In the womb, this vertebra is connected to the atlas by a tooth-like formation. Sometimes it is called spinous, since the atlas rotates around it, as around an axis.
- С3-С6 have no names. These are small short vertebrae with processes. It is in this part of the spinal column that various injuries most often occur.
- C7 is a prominent vertebra. It is equipped with a long process, whichwell palpated in the lower part of the neck.
Causes of cervical vertebrae injuries
Why do cervical vertebrae fractures happen? Most often, such injuries are formed due to the strongest mechanical influences. The reason for this can be various accidents or careless human behavior. 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, children who fall from balconies, tall trees, attics, or athletes suffer from such fractures.
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, an injury to the odontoid process occurs. At the same time, its strong displacement into the body of the spinal cord often leads to the death of the victim. By the way, road traffic accidents are a fairly common cause of spinal fractures.
Injuries to the 3rd-5th vertebrae can occur due to sports injuries, the consequences of car accidents and strong blows to the neck.
Injuries to the 5-6th cervical vertebrae are 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 impacts (for example, in accidents, falls in football or hockey, accidents at home, criminal situations, etc.).
Symptoms and signsdamage
Fracture of the 6th cervical vertebra or others is quite difficult not 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 syndrome at the fracture site. At the same time, it should be noted that more specific signs may be characteristic for different injuries:
- When the atlas is fractured, not only the entire cervical region hurts, but also the back of the head.
- When the 2nd vertebra is injured, a person cannot rotate his head, and in more complex cases, he becomes paralyzed.
- When the 3rd vertebra is damaged, it is impossible or very difficult to move the neck and head.
- Fracture of the 4th cervical vertebra, as well as the 5th and 6th, makes itself felt with swelling and sharp pain at the site of injury. Also, with such injuries, it is impossible to move the head, shoulders and neck. This may cause neurological abnormalities.
- As for the fracture of the 7th cervical vertebra, this is the only injury that is visible to 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. Only an experienced specialist can identify such an injury to the spinal column, based on external signs. It should be noted that even a qualified doctor cannot always make the correct diagnosis based only on the symptoms. Therefore, manySpecialists send their patients for x-rays. The fracture of the atlas is seen especially clearly in the picture.
It should also be noted that today magnetic resonance imaging is actively used to detect such an injury.
First Aid
What measures should be taken to help a person with a possible cervical spine injury? An important point in this case is the correct first aid. Experienced traumatologists, if a neck fracture is suspected, are not advised to move the victim until the ambulance arrives, and also try 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.
Cervical vertebra fracture: treatment
After the arrival of the ambulance, the victim must fix the cervical spine with 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 must prescribe treatment. Therapy for this condition involves immobility of the patient, which allows the bones to fully grow together. Thus, for several months, the victim's neck is kept in one position using the Shants collar. Also, sometimes the patient is in Glisson loops for a long time.
In case of compression fractures, as well as in the separation of bone fragmentsperform a surgical operation. If the damage was very strong, then specialists use a modern method that involves replacing the injured intervertebral disc or vertebra with a telescopic prosthesis.
Consequences of a broken neck
What consequences can cause a fracture of the cervical vertebrae? Such injuries are dangerous primarily because the spinal cord can be damaged in a person. Often, sharp-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, therapeutic massages and physical education have a beneficial effect on the human spine. If the injury was not too severe, then such activities help the victim to recover quite well. 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 avoiding dangerous cases. Experts do not recommend people to dive or swim in unknown places. Also, when repairing or playing sports, all safety regulations must be observed. By the way, these rules should be taught to children from a very young age.
If a person's work is associated with height or dangerous stunts, then he needs to develop the resistance of the cervical spine to various injuries. For example, daily gymnastics orany other physical exercise. Yoga and dumbbell exercises also work well in this regard.
Thus, regular workouts and exercises, as well as good nutrition and taking multivitamin complexes will help a person strengthen his skeleton and musculo-ligamentous apparatus, which will prevent sad consequences from developing in unexpected situations.
