Understanding Cervical Spine Injuries: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Cervical spine injuries involve damage to the cervical spinal column, potentially impacting the spinal cord. Injuries to the C5 vertebrae and higher are particularly serious, as they can interfere with central nervous system-controlled ventilation, potentially leading to fatal outcomes.

Complete care for Cervical Spinal Cord Injury is crucial. These injuries can range from cervical spine fractures, which are breaks in the neck portion of the spine, to cervical dislocations, caused by damage to neck ligaments leading to spinal instability. Both fractures and dislocations can occur simultaneously.

Injuries to the lower cervical nerves and/or the spinal cord may result in paralysis of both upper and lower extremities (arms and legs) and can lead to bowel and bladder dysfunction. Adolescents and young adults aged 16-24 are most at risk of spinal injury. By the age of 15-16, when skeletal maturity is generally reached, the risk profile changes.

The accurate diagnosis of acute cervical spine injury requires effective collaboration between clinicians and radiologists. A systematic approach to interpreting cervical spine CT scans is essential, especially since significant and unstable ligamentous injuries may exist despite normal scan results.

In Level I and II Centers, specific protocols are mandated for orthopedic emergencies. These include guidelines for treating various types and severities of pelvic and acetabular fractures, as well as the timing and sequence for treating long bone fractures in multiply injured patients.

Cases like displaced, unstable, traumatic Type II odontoid fracture with an anterior C1 ring fracture are complex. Contributing factors can include elderly fall risks, acute CVA (unlikely with negative neuro symptoms and CT brain), prior CVA-induced foot drop, peripheral neuropathy, and conditions more common in older females like osteopenia/osteoporosis, and orthostatic hypotension.

The cervical spine (neck) contains nerves forming the spinal cord. When enough traumatic force is applied, the spine’s bony elements can fracture. Osteoporosis can weaken vertebrae, making them susceptible to fractures even with low-level trauma.

A cervical fracture, commonly known as a broken neck, usually results from trauma such as car accidents or falls. Athletes are also at risk. Any injury to the vertebrae can have severe consequences, including temporary or permanent paralysis from the neck down.

For more detailed information, visit UConn Emergency Conditions, USC Internal Medicine, CHOP Lower Cervical Spine Injuries, Dartmouth Radiology, Upstate Surgery, UTH Radiology, HSS Spine Fractures, and UConn Health Spine Conditions.