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Types and treatment of fractured neck

A broken neck is the damage of one or several vertebrae. This type of injury is extremely dangerous, as it may damage the spinal cord, causing the paralysis. However, a fracture of the cervical spine cannot be considered a death sentence and when properly rendered timely help has all the chances to save the life of the victim and to help him avoid serious consequences.

problema pereloma shei

The reasons or circumstances may occur cervical fracture

To obtain such a dangerous injury you can:

  1. Falling even from a small height. For example, if you fall off the Bicycle or down the stairs.
  2. During sports training.
  3. When diving at shallow depths, it is possible to hit rock bottom or on the bottom of the reservoir, which can also lead to injury.
  4. When a sudden and severe neck rotation.
  5. Transport accidents, accidents. In this case, is characterized by a sharp tilting of the head backward, which can lead to serious damage and fractures of the cervical vertebrae.

sportivnye travmy - prichina pereloma sheiAmong the main reasons of the fracture of the cervical spine, there are certain factors under which the risk of fracture increases significantly. At risk:

  1. Elderly people (over 65 years). This is due to the wear of the cervical vertebrae and bone fragility.
  2. Patients suffering from osteoporosis.
  3. Professional athletes.
  4. People with poor muscle mass. The muscles perform the function of protection, in addition, they facilitate uniform load distribution in the region of the cervical spine.
  5. Patients with head injuries and other serious injuries.
  6. People with insufficient amount of calcium in the body.
  7. Persons suffering from various diseases of the spine.
  8. Patients with metastatic lesions of the spine, contributing to extensive destruction of cervical vertebrae.

How to identify a fracture of the cervical

Closed fracture cervical has specific symptoms. In order to identify this injury, you need to pay special attention to the following:

pozhiloj vozrast - predraspolozhennost k perelomu shei

  1. Severe pain.
  2. Limited physical activity cervical.
  3. Neurological disorders.
  4. Possible loss of sensation in the hands and lower extremities.
  5. Swelling in the neck.
  6. A large hematoma in the area of damage.
  7. Muscle weakness.
  8. A painful shock.
  9. Convulsiveseizures.
  10. Spasmodic involuntary contraction of certain muscles.

If the victim is present the above symptoms, should immediately contact the doctor-traumatologist, because only he will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Classification of cervical fractures

The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae. Therefore, neck fractures are usually classified depending on which of the vertebrae have been damaged during injury. Let's look at them in more detail. When fracture of the first vertebra (Atlanta) there is a pressing in the region of the occipital bone, is the destruction of the front and rear arcs. This happens due to the fact that between the Atlas and the occipital bone there is no intervertebral disk. In most cases, damage to the first cervical vertebra is accompanied by injuries to the spinal cord. This happens because of the traumatic impact on the skull of the victim. A fracture of the second neck vertebra (axis) is due to the sharp turn. This type of injury is accompanied by limitation of motor functions and pain.

slabost pri perelome sheiIn severe cases there is loss of sensation of upper and lower limbs and possible paralysis. This fracture is very dangerous and in the absence of timely care may cause the death of the victim.

At the turn of the rest of the vertebrae characterized by pain and disorders of motor function of the brain and cervical spine. In most cases, there are fractures of the fourth, fifth, or sixth cervical vertebrae. They are the cause of the accident, but the injury can occur due to strikes. This type of damage is considered the most easy and safe, because the process damages the spinal bones as if wedged in one another, leaving the spinal cord is virtually intact.

Diagnosis of a broken neck

To accurately determine this type of injury can only be a specialist. The diagnosis is the result of the medical examination, study of symptoms and the clinical picture. In addition, the patient will have to undergo certain examinations. In most cases, in injuries of the cervical spine is assigned to the following diagnostic procedures:

  1. X-rays, allows to obtain images with a fixed state of the bones.
  2. MRI - this study is usually recommended in case of suspected damage to the spinal cord.
  3. The CT - variant of x-rays with computer use, allowing to study in detail the condition of the spine and bone tissues.

How to treat a fracture

the broken neck" alt="doctor Consultation at broken neck">First aid in the case of cervical fracture is of great importance for the subsequent favorable outcome and successful treatment. So, what should be done before arrival of the doctor?

  1. In order to avoid the suffocation that may be caused by displacement of the vertebrae, the patient should be put on a firm surface face up.
  2. Try to minimize the mobility of the head and neck of the victim.
  3. To turn, to bend, to deflect the head of the patient is strictly prohibited!
  4. During transport the victim carefully hold his head in order to avoid movement of the neck.

Treatment of a broken neck depends on several key factors. In particular, these include:

  1. Concomitant fracture dislocation.
  2. The presence of instability of the vertebrae.
  3. The severity of the fracture.
  4. Concomitant spinal cord injury.
  5. Probable injury of nerve endings.
  6. The presence or absence of muscle weakness.
  7. Partial loss of motor activity or its absence.

In the case of simple fracture treatment normally consists of the reliable fixation of the cervical. For this purpose, a special collar or a medical bandage.

hirurgicheskoe lechenie pereloma sheiThis locking means the patient may need to wear 8 to 12 weeks, namely until complete overgrowth and healing to the bones. Patients are also prescribed medications that have analgesic and anti-edematous action. Additionally, for effective treatment you must comply with bed rest, regular medical advice and sick of all recommendations of the doctor-traumatologist.

In severe cases, surgical intervention. Reasons for surgery the following factors:

  1. The lack of effectiveness of other treatments.
  2. Pronounced neurological syndromes with a tendency to increase.
  3. Block the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid.
  4. Unstable traumatic injuries.

The goal of surgery is to stabilize the spine by removing wedged bones, strengthen the vertebrae.

The procedure of attaching a damaged vertebra to the other is called fusion and is performed during surgical operations on the neck.

The rehabilitation period

When fracture of the neck for a long time immobilized, which leads to weakening and atrophy of the respective muscles. Therefore, their recovery, patients are prescribed a course of special exercises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-sGw67eZZU

In most cases in restorative complex includesrotational movements of the head, tilts. Rehabilitation exercises are performed regularly, gradually increasing the amount of exercise. In any case, exercise should be appointed exclusively by the attending physician.

A broken neck is quite a difficult condition that requires a lengthy recovery and could threaten not only health, but also the life of the victim. But when rendering operational the correct first aid can largely reduce the risk of dangerous complications.