Understanding Cervical Spine Injuries: Causes and Treatments

Anterolisthesis of C3 on C4 and C4 on C5 is observed, with vertebral body heights being maintained. There is evidence of multilevel degenerative changes, most notably characterized by disc space loss, uncovertebral joint degeneration, and facet arthropathy, with the most pronounced changes at the C6-C7 level. The prevertebral soft tissues appear normal.

IMPRESSION: Cervical spine injuries result from deformation to the cervical spinal column, which can lead to spinal cord damage. Injury at or above the C5 vertebrae level can be particularly severe, possibly impairing central nervous system-controlled ventilation. In the critical 24-72 hours post-injury, numerous complications may emerge.

A cervical laminectomy is a surgical intervention commonly employed for cervical spinal stenosis, wherein small bony structures are excised from one or more neck vertebrae to relieve spinal cord pressure. The higher the spinal cord injury, the higher the risk of complications, including loss of diaphragm function necessitating ventilatory support, as well as impaired hand, arm, torso, and leg functionality.

Cervical stenosis is a condition where the spinal canal is too constricted for the spinal cord and nerve roots, potentially leading to myelopathy, or nerve compression, known as radiculopathy. Cervical decompression surgery aims to alleviate nerve compression in the neck by removing bone sections impinging on the nerve root.

Cervical myelopathy and radiculopathy result from the compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots, respectively, causing symptoms like neck pain, stiffness, and reduced neck mobility. A significant disc herniation in the cervical spine can compress the spinal cord, leading to numbness, stiffness, weakness in the legs, and possible bowel or bladder control issues. A thoracic herniated disc may cause mid-back pain at the herniation level.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a condition where this crucial spinal column ligament thickens and stiffens.

For more information, please visit the following resources:
Painful Degenerative,
Cervical Spine Injury,
Spine Surgery: Cervical Laminectomy Fusion,
Living with Spinal Cord Injury,
Cervical Stenosis,
Cervical Decompression Surgery,
Cervical Decompression Treatments,
Herniated Disc: Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, and
Ossification Posterior Longitudinal Ligament (OPLL).