Cervical spine fracture – causes, symptoms & therapy

A cervical spine fracture is a fracture in the cervical spine. Nerve pathways run through the human spine. They connect the brain to the body and are protected by the spine. Overall, the spine consists of the sacrum and coccyx, lumbar spine, thoracic spine and cervical spine.

The latter makes up the upper part of the spine and contains seven cervical vertebrae. A fracture in the area of ​​these seven vertebrae can also injure adjacent structures. Colloquially, a cervical spine fracture is referred to as a broken neck.

causes

The cause of a cervical spine fracture is external force. This can occur in a traffic accident, some sports, and diving where the victim comes into contact with an obstacle. Elderly people, as well as children and infants, are particularly affected because their neck muscles are weak. As a result, it cannot adequately protect the cervical spine in the event of violence. If it is overstretched or overstretched, it is more likely to fracture.People who have osteoporosis are also more likely to fracture their cervical spine. Their bones are more porous and break more easily. In people who belong to one of these risk groups, even milder forms of external violence than those described above can trigger a fracture of the cervical spine. These can be falls or careless handling by an infant who is not yet able to hold up his head independently.

When to the doctor?

Damage or discomfort to the cervical spine is considered extremely worrying and must be examined and treated by a doctor. If the cervical spine is fractured, an ambulance is needed. There is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate action. Until the arrival of the emergency doctor, the instructions of the emergency doctor service must be followed or first aid measures must be applied correctly.

If there is a loss of consciousness , breathing interruptions or pain in the bones in the neck region, an emergency doctor must be called. Speech problems, attention deficits and dizziness are indications of an emergency situation. If bleeding occurs or if the bones in the neck, shoulders or back are misaligned, an emergency doctor is also needed. If the muscles in the limbs or joints fail, a doctor is needed.

Sudden difficulties in locomotion or problems keeping the upper body upright also need to be examined and treated by a doctor as soon as possible. It is also advisable to contact an emergency doctor and describe the complaints by telephone. If malfunctions occur, a doctor or hospital must be consulted immediately. In addition to motor problems, there can also be interruptions in vision or hearing, which must be clarified by a doctor and treated as soon as possible.

symptoms and course

Typical symptoms of a cervical spine fracture:

• pressure pain

• nerve pain

• movement pain

• dysphagia

A person affected by a cervical spine fracture cannot move their neck or only with severe pain. This restriction of movement is often accompanied by bruising in the area of ​​the fracture. Often the head sticks out at an unnatural angle and the affected person has the feeling that they cannot keep their head upright. He suffers from swallowing disorders.

In severe cases, the accident damages the nerves. In addition, the cervical vertebrae can shift under strong pressure. Bone fragments and blood can get into the spinal canal. The affected person is partially paralyzed or paraplegic . Damage to the nerve tracts that exit above the fourth cervical vertebra causes the affected person to have breathing problems . Responsible is the injury of the nerves that control the function of the diaphragm. Serious cervical spine fractures result in respiratory or circulatory arrest.

Diagnose

If a cervical spine fracture is suspected, the doctor first performs a careful manual examination of the cervical spine. He feels pain points and checks the mobility of the limbs. In order to be able to determine the extent of any nerve injuries, the doctor examines the neurological functions of the person concerned. In order not to put additional strain on the cervical spine, the doctor refrains from major movements of the neck and head.

After the physical examination, the doctor will always have an X-ray performed to diagnose any vertebral fractures. To do this, he has X-rays taken from the side and from the front. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRT) or computed tomography (CT) provide further measures for a more precise diagnosis . If a fracture of the cervical spine is suspected, the MRI supports the fine diagnosis of nerve failures and injuries to the intervertebral discs and ligaments.

complications

A cervical spine fracture is a very serious injury. In the worst case, the person affected is completely paralyzed after the cervical spine fracture and can no longer move below the waistline. This leads to considerable limitations in everyday life, so that the person concerned is dependent on the help of other people in his everyday life. As a rule, the fracture causes considerable pain, which can often spread to other areas of the body.

Furthermore, other regions may also be affected by sensory disturbances . Difficulty swallowing can also occur, which can make it difficult to eat and drink normally.

In general, a cervical spine fracture always leads to significant limitations in movement and usually also to a bruise. Complications can occur if the person concerned exposes his body to stress after a cervical spine fracture. Not infrequently, paraplegia can also lead to significant psychological symptoms and depression and thus reduce the quality of life.

Treatment is bed rest and usually rest on the affected area. There are no particular complications. As a rule, the cervical spine fracture does not reduce the patient’s life expectancy.

treatment and therapy

During treatment, a distinction is made between stable and unstable cervical spine fractures. A neck brace immobilizes a stable fracture for a period of six weeks. The immobilisation is accompanied by physiotherapy so that muscles gradually stabilize the cervical spine. Physiotherapy also helps to keep the muscles flexible and prevents what is known as immobilization pain.

Unstable cervical spine fractures are injuries in which the cervical vertebrae have shifted or are at risk of shifting. Surgery is the only treatment option for an unstable fracture. The cervical spine is then immobilized with a neck brace for six to twelve weeks.

Highly unstable cervical spine fractures involve twists that have damaged the posterior portion of the vertebral bodies. This part is additionally stabilized in a surgical procedure. To do this, a surgeon inserts screws into intact structures. He connects the screws with metal rods, which supports the cervical spine in the back.

After a cervical spine fracture, the acute treatment is followed by rehabilitation, which aims at a holistic recovery of the affected person. Such rehabilitation mainly includes physiotherapy and interim radiological controls that monitor the healing process. In addition to motor training in the event of nerve failure, psychological after-effects are also treated. The aim is to enable those affected by a fractured cervical spine to return to everyday life.

prevention

Since a cervical spine fracture is the cause of an accident, it is not possible to prevent it. For older people and people with osteoporosis, raising awareness of the risk of injury can be a preventative measure. Infants should be handled with caution.

The appropriate safety of children in cars and on bicycles is also one of the preventive measures. If a cervical spine fracture is suspected, consequences such as paralysis can be prevented by immediately consulting a doctor.