Cervical Fracture
What is a cervical fracture?
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A cervical fracture refers to a break or crack in one or more of the seven vertebrae in the neck, known as the cervical spine. These fractures can result from various traumatic incidents, such as car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. The severity of a cervical fracture can vary, ranging from minor fractures to more serious injuries that may involve damage to the spinal cord.
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Symptoms
1. Intense Neck Pain:
- Severe pain in the neck, often localised to the fracture site.
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2. Limited Range of Motion:
- Difficulty moving the neck, especially in certain directions.
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3. Neck Tenderness:
- Increased sensitivity or soreness in the neck area.
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4. Neurological Symptoms:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or hands.
- Weakness in the arms or legs.
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5. Difficulty Walking:
- Impaired mobility due to potential spinal cord involvement.
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6. Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control:
- In severe cases, a cervical fracture may lead to loss of control.
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7. Headaches:
- Persistent headaches, which can be a result of the injury.
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8. Bruising or Swelling:
- Visible signs of trauma around the neck area.
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9. Difficulty Breathing:
- In extreme cases, respiratory difficulties may occur.
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10. Visible Deformity:
- Sometimes, a cervical fracture may cause a noticeable misalignment of the neck.
Treatment
At the inisual insedent it is vital that the patient lays completlly still in the same as their are and no one moves them until a medical professional arrives on scene. they will ask the paitentent for their symptoms if a cervical spine fracture is presumed followed by a spinal assessment visual and palpating each verterbrea assessing for locolised and radiating pain, numbnes, loss of sensation and pins and needles if there is any indication or suspition of a cervical neck fracture post assessment the paitent should be imobilised imediatly