How are cervical vertebral fractures? What consequences can cause such trauma? These and other questions will be answered in this article.
Fractures of cervical vertebrae are very dangerous, as they can cause disability or death of the victim.
The human neck is a complex naturala 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 is known, they are separated by the so-called intervertebral discs and fastened by a whole system of ligaments.
What are vertebrae for? Experts argue that they are designed to protect the bone marrow. As for the discs, it is a shock-absorbing component, thanks to which movements of the trunk and head are made.
In connection with all of the above, we can safely say that the fractures of the cervical vertebrae - this is a fairly serious injury. Very often, it does not respond to treatment and recovery.
What can cause a fracture of the cervical vertebra? The consequences of this injury will be presented below.
According to experts, the part of the skeleton under consideration is divided into three columns:
If the resulting injury occurred in one column,then the two remaining can prevent a spinal cord injury. If two structures are violated, the spine is divided in two. At the same time, there is a real risk of brain rupture.
In anatomy, vertebrae are usually designated by the letter C, and also by ordinal numbers (1-7). Let's consider their features in more detail:
Why there are fractures of the cervical vertebrae? Most often, such injuries are formed due to the strongest mechanical effects. The reason for this can serve as various accidents or the careless behavior of a person. For example, a compression fracture of the cervical vertebrae is formed when the head falls down from a high altitude. Also, such a trauma can happen if a heavy object falls on the person's head. Often, these fractures affect children who have fallen from balconies, tall trees, attics, or athletes.
Fractures of the second vertebra occur due tocar accidents. This is due to the fact that with a sharp impact in the lower region of the face, a tooth-like process is traumatized. In this case, its strong bias in the body of the spinal cord often leads to the death of the victim. Incidentally, an accident is a fairly common cause of a vertebral fracture.
Damage to the 3-5th vertebrae can occur due to sports injuries, the consequences of car accidents and severe strokes on the neck.
Damage to the 5th-6th cervical vertebrae is very often formed during diving, when a person did not calculate the depth of the jump and hit his head against the bottom or pitfalls.
Why there is a 7 cervical vertebra fracture? Such a trauma is possible with strong falls and bumps (for example, in case of accidents, falls in football or hockey, accidents at home, criminal situations, etc.).
Fracture of the cervical vertebra or the other is difficult to notice. This is due to the fact that in most cases the signs of such damage are clearly pronounced.
The common symptom of such injuries issignificant, and also gradually increasing painful syndrome in the place of fracture. It should be noted that for more damage, more specific characteristics can also be characteristic:
Self-diagnosed fracture of 5 cervicalvertebra or any other is impossible. Identify such a trauma of the spinal column will be able to only an experienced specialist, relying on external signs. It should be noted that even a qualified doctor can not always correctly diagnose, based only on symptoms. Therefore, many specialists send their patients to X-ray. Particularly clearly in the picture is a fracture of the atlant.
It should also be noted that today the method of magnetic resonance imaging is actively used to detect such trauma.
What measures should be taken to helpa person with a possible trauma to the cervical spine? An important point in this case is proper first aid. Experienced traumatologists with suspicion of a neck fracture do not advise moving the victim before the arrival of an ambulance, and also try to determine the type of injury obtained by palpating the head or neck of the patient. 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.
After the arrival of an ambulance, the victim is required to fix the cervical spine by means of a special collar, and then take him to the hospital and perform radiography.
Identifying the nature of the fracture and vertebra, which wasthe doctor must prescribe the treatment. Therapy of this condition presupposes a patient's immobility, which enables the bones to fully integrate. Thus, for several months, the victim's neck is held in one position, using the collar of Shantz. Also sometimes the patient is in the loops of Glisson for a long time.
With compression fractures, as well as withthe separation of bone fragments is performed by a surgical operation. If the injuries were very strong, then specialists use a modern method, which involves replacing the injured intervertebral disc or vertebra with a telescopic prosthesis.
What consequences can cause a fracture of the cervicalvertebra? Such injuries are dangerous primarily because a person can suffer from a spinal cord. Often spiky fragments formed due to the destruction of bones, pierce directly into the body of the brain, thereby causing immediate paralysis or even the death of the patient.
When paralysis on the spine of a person is beneficialaffect therapeutic massages and physical education. If the trauma was not too serious, then such measures quite well help the victim to recover. However, it should be noted that often such fractures are very strong and serious, and therefore incurable.
How to avoid fracture of cervical vertebrae? Prevention of such injuries implies avoidance of dangerous cases. Experts do not recommend people to dive or swim in unknown places. Also, during repair work or playing sports, all safety rules must be observed. By the way, these rules should necessarily teach children from an early age.
If a person's work is related to height ordangerous tricks, he needs to develop the stability of the cervical spine to various injuries. For example, strengthening of ligaments and muscles is facilitated by daily gymnastics or any other physical exercises. Also yoga and dumbbell exercises are also good in this regard.
Thus, regular training andexercise, as well as adequate nutrition and taking multivitamin complexes will help a person to strengthen their skeleton and muscular-ligament apparatus, which will not lead to unfortunate consequences in unexpected situations.
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