The cervical spine
is a highly mobile segment of the axial skeleton that allows a large range of
motion in flexion, extension and rotation. It is vulnerable to injury because
is unprotected and is composed of seven cervical (C1 – C7). An injury to one of
its cervicals is extremely dangerous due to the function exercised by each one
with regard to the movement. A blow to this area may incapacitate the patient,
while in other cases, can cause death. Urgent care is vital to patient recovery
and development (mostly young and adults in full working capacity).
After a trauma,
the patient may have some of these symptoms: pain in suboccipital region, neck
stiffness, limited movement and if there are medullary affection, can be felt
from altered sensation and mobility to the patient's death depending on the
degree of damage and affected segment. Fractures in the spine are classified
according to trauma stability (stable or unstable) and by the affected cervical
(upper or lower). An unstable fracture is considered one that presents
neurological damage, ligament damage and significant displacement of the vertebral
body. Moreover, a higher trauma are those involving the C1, C2 or C3, while a
lower trauma goes from C3 to C7.
To determine the
patient's diagnosis, radiography, MRI and CT are used. In cervical injuries,
the first therapeutic element to consider is the provisional immobilization
collar and referral of the patient to the hospital. The primary goal of
treatment for stable fractures without neurological injury, is to reduce
displacement and stabilize the spine. These fractures have an orthopedic
treatment. There are different devices to do this, among them we can find:
occipital cervical brace with adjustable support and mental, immobilizer
sterno-occipital-mandibular, cervical traction metal bracket, orthotics cervical
Halo type, among other devices. Furthermore, unstable fractures were treated
with traction and cranial surgical stabilization (these fractures have surgical
treatment). Treatment depends on whether the injury occurs in the anterior or
posterior region of the cervical vertebrae.
Like most of the
fractures that occur around the human body, physical therapy is, in some cases,
the main treatment for these traumas. As for cervical trauma, the purpose is to
help the patient regain mobility through analgesics, anti-inflammatory and
through physical therapy. Among the services and techniques that offer physical
therapy to patients with cervical trauma is: education and advice given by the
physiotherapist, home exercise, massage and thermotherapy, electrotherapy,
among other things.
Bibliography:
Alday, R., et al. "Traumatismos cervicales."
Neurocirugia (1995): 22-31.
Vera García, Marta, et
al. "Fracturas Cervicales." Fisioterapia Vol. 3 (n.d.).
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