Cervical fracture refers to the breakage of any one or more of the seven vertebrae in the upper back. These vertebrae connect the neck, head and back to the rest of the body as well as play a major role in maintaining balance. It is also referred to as the broken neck. Cervical fracture is a serious injury and may lead to paralysis, death as well as loss of movement or sensation in any part of the body.
What Is a Cervical Fracture?
The seven bones in the neck commonly referred to as C1 through C7 are the cervical vertebrae (bones). The cervical vertebrae support the head and connect it to the shoulders and body. A fracture, or break, in one of the cervical vertebrae is commonly called a broken neck.
Any injury to the vertebrae can have serious consequences because the spinal cord, the central nervous system’s connection between the brain and the body, runs through the center of the vertebrae. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or death. Injury to the spinal cord at the level of the cervical spine can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis of the entire body from the neck down.
Causes
- An automobile accident
- Sudden fall
- Direct blow or trauma to the head or neck
- Sports injury that involves a violent attack or combat
- Twisting of the neck
- Diving in a shallow pool
The cause of cervical fractures is usually high-energy trauma, such as automobile crashes or falls. Athletes are also at risk. For example, a cervical fracture can occur if:
- A football player “spears” an opponent with his head
- An ice hockey player is struck from behind and rams into the boards
- A gymnast misses the high bar during a release move and falls
- A diver strikes the bottom of a shallow pool
Symptoms
- Immobility
- Loss of consciousness
- Pain that may spread from the neck to the upper body and arms
- Deformity, bruising and swelling
- Feeling of numbness in the arms, legs, body
- Partial or complete paralysis
- Visibility of lumps on the head or back
- Breathing may be hampered in some cases
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pins and needles sensation
In a trauma situation, the neck should be immobilized until X-rays are taken and reviewed by a physician. Emergency medical personnel will assume that an unconscious individual has a neck injury and respond accordingly. The victim may experience shock and either temporary or permanent paralysis.
Conscious patients with an acute neck injury will usually have severe neck pain. They may also have pain spreading from the neck to the shoulders or arms, resulting from the vertebra compressing a nerve. There may be some bruising and swelling at the back of the neck. The physician will perform a complete neurological examination to assess nerve function, and may request additional radiographic studies, such as MRI or computed tomography (CT), to determine the extent of the injuries.
Diagnosis
- Neurological examination
- CT scan, X-rays, MRI may be conducted to assess the location and severity of damage
- Assessment of the functionality of the cervical spine by the orthopedic doctor
- Evaluation of the details of injury, medical record and symptoms experienced by the patient
Treatment
Treatment will depend on which of the seven cervical vertebrae are damaged and the kind of fracture sustained. A minor compression fracture can be treated with a cervical brace worn for six to eight weeks until the bone heals. A more complex or extensive fracture may require traction, surgery and internal fixation, two to three months in a rigid cast or a combination of these treatments. Some physicians may suggest a vertebroplasty.
- Use of a cervical brace or collar for a few weeks may be prescribed in case the fracture is minor
- Traction – use of heavy weights attached to a brace may be used to limit the movement of the spine. It may be prescribed for eight to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the injury.
- Surgical decompression to remove the broken fragments of tissues and bones from the spinal column
- Surgical removal of the damaged intervertebral discs
- Surgical fusion of a bone graft next to the broken vertebrae
- Anti-inflammatory drugs may be administered to curb pain and inflammation
- Physical therapy may be required to restore mobility and muscle strength in the cervical spine
For treatment of cervical fracture and other spine conditions, visit OrthoTexas.
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