cervical fracture symptoms

$cervical fracture symptoms$

Diagnosing Fractures in the Neck

Can a neck fracture heal on its own?

Can you have a neck fracture and not know it?

Cervical Fracture Treatment

How do you sleep with a broken neck?

How serious is a neck fracture?

Cervical Fracture Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a cervical fracture?

Pain, tenderness, swelling, or muscle spasms in your neck
Problems moving your neck
Trouble swallowing
Loss of feeling or pinprick pain in your arms or legs
Numbness, pain, or tingling at the base of your head
Double vision or loss of consciousness
Decreased muscle mass
Playing certain sports that may result in neck fracture, such as football, rugby or ice hockey
Not wearing your seatbelt or protective sports equipment
Head or other traumatic injury, such as severe chest trauma, pelvic or femur fractures
Violence

Read more about: Cervical Fracture Types

Diagnosing Fractures in the Neck

You will most likely be taken to a hospital. The doctor will ask about your symptoms, physical activity, and how the injury occurred. The doctor will examine the injured area and perform a complete neurological exam.
Imaging tests may include:
X-rays to look for breaks in the bones or a dislocation of the vertebrae
MRI provides cross-sectional images to look for spinal cord damage
CT scan to analyze bone injury and to see if the spinal cord is compressed by a collection of blood

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Can a neck fracture heal on its own?

Broken necks may be simple breaks that can heal within just a few weeks, or they can be life-altering injuries. Because of this, all neck breaks should be treated as medical emergencies. The treatment of a cervical fracture depends upon which cervical vertebrae was damaged and the extent of the fracture. A minor (compression) fracture is often treated with a cervical collar or brace worn for six to eight weeks until the bone heals on its own. A more severe or complex fracture may require traction, or surgical repair or a spinal fusion. Surgical repair of a cervical fracture can result in a long recovery time followed by physical therapy.

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Can you have a neck fracture and not know it?

The most common symptom of hangman's fracture is neck pain following a fall or motor vehicle accident. However, if the trauma has caused other damage to the body, the neck pain may not be immediately noticed. It is possible for neck fractures to go undetected by doctors initially, even using scans and x-rays. In that case it could have been a subtle fracture that you couldn't have seen.

Cervical Fracture Treatment

A neck fracture is a severe injury that can lead to paralysis or death. It depends which bones are broken and whether there is spinal cord injury. The goals of treatment are to manage pain and support the bone. Options may be:

Medicine to ease pain
A brace or collar to keep the neck in line as a minor fracture heals
A stiff brace or halo vest to treat more severe fractures
Exercises to help with muscle strength and range of motion

Surgery

Some fractures cause pieces of bone to come apart. These pieces will need to be put back into place. Surgery may be done using plates, screws, or wires to reconnect the pieces and hold them in place.

Read more about: Cervical Fracture Surgery

How do you sleep with a broken neck?

Always wear your collar in bed unless told otherwise by your consultant. Your bed should be firm. it (unless instructed otherwise). Sleep on your back, if this is uncomfortable sleep on your side. Soft collars worn at night may prevent your neck from collapsing. This may help decrease morning pain or stiffness. The collar is particularly good if you have chronic neck pain.

How serious is a neck fracture?

A neck fracture is very serious and can lead to paralysis or possibly death. A person with a neck injury should not be moved without competent medical care, which is needed immediately.

Read more about: Cervical fracture dislocation

10 common questions about cervical fracture symptoms

1What is a cervical fracture?

A cervical fracture, commonly called a broken neck, is a catastrophic fracture of any of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck. ... Abnormal movement of neck bones or pieces of bone can cause a spinal cord injury resulting in loss of sensation, paralysis, or usually instant death

2How do you know if you broke a bone in your neck?

Fractured Neck Symptoms Severe pain. Swelling and possible bruising. Tenderness. Decreased feeling in the arms or legs.

3How long does it take for a cervical spine fracture to heal?

six to eight weeks A minor (compression) fracture is often treated with a cervical collar or brace worn for six to eight weeks until the bone heals on its own. A more severe or complex fracture may require traction, or surgical repair or a spinal fusion

4How long does it take for a c7 fracture to heal?

Spinal cord injuries to the C6, C7, and C8 levels that are treated immediately have the best chance for recovery. Patients will typically know the extent of the long-term damage within six months of the injury. Learning to deal with the limitations of the injury is a very important part of the recovery phase

5How is a cervical fracture treated?

A minor compression fracture can be treated with a cervical brace worn for 6 to 8 weeks until the bone heals. A more complex or extensive fracture may require traction, surgery, 2 to 3 months in a rigid cast, or a combination of these treatments

6What does a fractured neck feel like?

Symptoms of a broken neck A broken neck is often very painful and may make movement of the head difficult or impossible. Depending on the level of damage to your spinal cord, it can also affect other parts of your body, such as a difficulty or inability to move your arms and legs

7How do I know if my neck injury is serious?

When a Pain in the Neck Is More Than Just a Pain Some signs of a serious neck injury: Pain that doesn't go away or is severe. Shooting pain in your arms or legs. Numbness, weakness, or tingling in your arms or legs

8What is the most common neck injury?

Falls or accidents, including car accidents, are another common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain. Treatment depends on the cause, but may include applying ice, taking pain relievers, getting physical therapy or wearing a cervical collar

9How serious is a fractured vertebrae?

Severe pain at the site of the fracture is the main symptom of a broken back injury. If back pain is made worse when you move, that's also a sign that a vertebra may have been broken. If, however, the broken bone compresses the spinal cord's other nerves, there may be numbness as well as pain

10What happens if you fracture c1?

In addition to the initial vertebrae injury, the interference at C1 and C2 can cause the vertebral arteries to inflict neurological damage; leaving the brain without a vital source of blood. Symptoms following an injury to the C1 and C2 vertebrae may include: Complete paralysis of arms and legs. Muscle atrophy

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cervical fracture symptoms

10 common questions about cervical fracture symptoms

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