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Neck Injury : General ConsiderationsNeck, or cervical spine injuries, account for a significant number of people with serious nervous system damage, especially from motor vehicle accidents. Head injuries are responsible for another significant portion of these cases. It has been estimated that there are 4,000 to 5,000 new quadriplegics (paralysis from the neck down) in the United States every year. There are approximately 75,000 to 100,000 quadriplegics currently living in America. Total costs, direct and indirect, in the management of these victims, is calculated between 1 and 2 billion dollars per year. Cervical injuries may involve strain, sprain, fracture, spinal cord injury, or some combination of these impairments. Knowing the cause of injury is crucial in determining the relative risk of spinal cord trauma. "Whiplash" injuries, and those injuries sustained from direct force having been applied to the long axis of the spinal column (e.g. diving accident), are most frequently associated with serious damage to the cord. Slow development of neck pain, without history of major trauma, that increases with motion, minor twisting, straining, or exercising, often indicates a strain of the neck muscles. In these cases, there is VERY LOW risk of spinal cord injury. A slower development of neck pain, more remotely related to an injury, that "radiates" down one arm, or has associated numbness, tingling, and weakness in an upper extremity, can indicate cervical disc disease. This is much more prevalent in the "over 35 age group," and can be precipitated by seemingly minor neck injuries. It is important to realize that, here, the nerve injury is at the exiting nerve root and not on the spinal cord itself; therefore, the symptoms are usually seen in only one arm. Cervical fracture should be considered a possibility in all patients with neck pain, after significant neck trauma (e.g. motor vehicle accidents, falls, diving accidents). This can be safely ruled out with an spine x-ray, prior to any manipulation or movement of the neck. CAUTION: any suspected cervical fracture should be immobilized by trained professionals (dial 911). Avoiding ANY movement of the victim is ABSOLUTELY necessary.* Refer to the appropriate sections under neck injury to investigate the various types of cervical problems. Information is available in each section on the diagnosis, evaluation, management, and treatment of this important group of injuries.
|  Hip Dislocation Hip Fracture Insect Stings and Spider Bites Human and Animal Bites Shoulder Injury Fracture Toxic Inhalations and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Facial Injury Jaw Fracture and Dislocation Kidney Injury Knee Injury General Considerations Knee Injury Contusion Knee Injury Fracture Knee Injury Sprain Stab Wounds Leg Injury Fractures and Contusions Leg Injury Shin Splints Lightning Injury Oral and Tongue Injuries Nasal Fracture or Contusion Neck Injury General Considerations Neck Injury Fracture Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury Pelvic Bone Fracture Puncture Wounds Chest Injury Rib Fracture Back Injury Sacrococcygeal Injury Scorpion Bites Abrasion Injuries Shoulder Injury Clavicle Fracture Shoulder Injury Strains and Sprains Snakebite Neck Injury Spinal Cord Injury Abdominal Injury Ruptured Spleen Foot Injury Toe Fracture and Sprain Vaginal or Vulvar Injury Drowning and Near Drowning |
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