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Broken
Neck Injury
Introduction
When an injury
occurs in the
neck area of
the spine and
the individual
vertebrae become
fractured or
dislocated,
the neck can
be described
as broken. This
is obviously
a very serious
injury which
can result in
quadriplegia
(paralysis of
all four limbs)
or death and
can occur with
high impact
sports such
as rugby. This
injury can occur
by collapsing
of a scrum which
will put excessive
pressure on
the front row
or due to direct
head trauma
from an opposing
player.
The neck area
of the spine
is referred
to as the cervical
area. Cervical
vertebrae (neck
bones) are the
top 7 bones
in the spinal
column. These
top 7 bones
form the top
part of our
“backbone”
and they also
serve to protect
the spinal cord
from injury.
If the vertebrae
are broken or
severely dislocated,
but the spinal
cord is unharmed,
then neurological
problems may
not occur. The
higher up the
break in the
cervical vertebrae
the more dangerous
the injury is
to the player.
People with
this type of
injury are treated
very carefully
while the bones
heal to avoid
damage to the
spinal cord.
Due to the
serious consequences
of this injury
first aid treatment
should be attempted
only by qualified
medical personnel.
Broken
Neck Signs &
Symptoms
Usually following
an accident
or injury:
- Neck pain,
which may
or may not
be severe
- In some
severe cases
the player
may be unconscious
on the pitch
- Difficulty
breathing
- Swelling
and bruising
- Tenderness
- Decreased
feeling in
the arms or
legs
- Muscle weakness
or paralysis
of the arms
or legs
Broken
Neck Treatment
All treatment
should only
be undertaken
by qualified
medical professional.
Treatment of
a fractured
neck depends
on the injury.
A compression
fracture, with
the bones pushed
into each other,
can sometimes
be treated with
a cervical collar
for 6 to 8 weeks.
A more serious
fracture may
need traction,
surgery, or
a rigid frame
to keep the
neck from moving.
Prolonged
immobilization
for 8 to 12
weeks is achieved
either by screwing
the fragments
together surgically
or instructing
the patient
to wear a plaster
cast.
Once the fracture
has healed,
a physiotherapist
will recommend
exercises to
increase muscular
strength and
flexibility
of the neck.
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