Detailed information about neck fractures (cervical fractures)

Fractures can occur in any bone structure in any part of the body, including the neck. Fractures in the neck or cervical fractures are serious conditions that require immediate medical attention to prevent paralysis, even death. The following is a complete overview of cervical fractures, including their symptoms, causes, and common treatments.

What is a neck fracture or cervical fracture?

Neck fracture or cervical fracture is a condition when one out of seven bones in the neck breaks or cracks. The seven vertebrae themselves form the top of the spine, which supports the head and connects it with the shoulders and body.

Any injury or damage to the spine can cause loss of sensation, permanent paralysis, or even immediate death. The reason is, the spinal cord in it is part of the central nervous system that controls all body systems, including the human movement system.

Therefore, fractures in the neck require immediate medical attention to prevent these unwanted things.

Signs and symptoms of a cervical fracture or neck fracture

Symptoms of a neck fracture can vary from person to person, depending on the part of the bone that has been fractured, the severity, and other related injuries. However, in general, the signs and symptoms of a cervical fracture that you may experience include:

• Neck pain or pain that is generally severe, especially when moving or pressing in areas that have been fractured or fractured.
• Pain radiating from the neck to the shoulder or arm.
• Swelling, bruising, and tenderness in the neck area.
• The neck feels stiff or has difficulty moving the neck and surrounding body parts.
• Numbness, loss of sensation, feeling weak, or even paralysis in the arm or leg.
• Decreased body balance.

In very severe cases, a cervical fracture can also cause internal bleeding, especially if the broken bone damages the surrounding blood vessels.

There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you feel any of these signs or are worried about a symptom, especially recently suffered an injury to the neck, you should immediately seek medical help to get proper treatment.

Causes of cervical fractures that need to be watched out

The main cause of fracture or fracture is injury or trauma due to pressure or impact to a particular body part. In neck fractures, these injuries and collisions generally originate from motor vehicle collisions or accidents, whether cars or motorbikes.

In addition, falling from a height or a hard blow directly to the head or neck also causes cervical fractures. A fracture in this part of the bone can also occur due to a sudden or forced tight or forced neck twist.

Apart from these conditions, neck fractures can also occur due to a collision during contact sports, such as rugby, hockey, wrestling, or soccer. However, injuries during non-physical contact sports can also be one of the causes, such as diving in shallow areas, falls during skiing, surfing, horse riding, cycling and motor racing, and injuries during weightlifting or gymnastics.

Apart from the causes above, there are several factors that increase a person's risk of experiencing a fracture in the neck. The following are the risk factors:

• Elderly.
• Conditions that weaken bones, such as osteoporosis or cancer.
• Athletes or engaging in physical contact sports, such as football, rugby, hockey, and so on.
• Not wearing seat belts or protective sports equipment.
• Head injury or other trauma, such as chest trauma or hip fracture.
• Work or do activities that involve height.
• Be around violence.

How to diagnose a cervical fracture or neck fracture

The doctor will generally ask about your symptoms and injuries and your overall medical condition to diagnose a neck fracture. Then, the doctor will perform a physical exam around the neck to examine the injured area.

A complete neurological examination will also be performed to identify nerve or spinal cord damage that may be caused by this fracture. In addition to these tests, several imaging tests may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis of a cervical fracture. Some common imaging tests include:

• X-rays. This test is done to find out which part of the bone in the neck is fractured.
• MRI. This test is generally done to look for damage to the spinal cord that may result from a fracture in the neck.
• CT scan. This test is generally done to identify injuries to the bone that are not visible on an X-ray and to find out if the spinal cord is being compressed by a collection of blood.

Treatment for neck fractures

Once you have an injury to the neck, it is important that you do not move or move places before being treated directly by a qualified medical officer. Moving your neck and other parts of your body can increase the chance of damage to the spinal cord.

In addition, you may experience injuries to other parts of your body along with a neck fracture, such as a spinal fracture. Therefore, if you are suspected of having a neck fracture, your head and neck area will need to be immobilized with a neck brace, once the injury occurs until a doctor's diagnosis can be confirmed.

For athletes who have been injured while exercising, immobilization can be carried out while still wearing the helmet or shoulder pads they use during sports, until a doctor's examination is carried out. Once a cervical fracture is diagnosed, you will generally receive treatment for the fracture to reduce pain and aid in the healing process.

The treatment given can be different for each patient. This depends on the part of the bone that has been fractured, the type of fracture, the severity, possible injury or damage to the spinal cord, and the patient's age and overall medical condition. However, in general, here are some common treatments for neck fractures:

• Drugs

The pain from a fracture in the neck is often unbearable. Therefore, pain relievers, such as paracetamol, will generally be given to help treat this condition. As reported by Advanced Orthopedic, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are usually not an option because they are said to interfere with bone healing.

• Cervical collar or neck brace

Cervical collar or neck brace is a means of bracing or support such as a collar to prevent movement of the neck during the healing period of a broken bone. This tool can keep the broken bone in the right position during the healing process.

Usually, a cervical collar or neck brace is used in cases of less severe neck fractures, such as the type of compression fracture in people with osteoporosis. The duration of use can be up to 6-8 weeks until the broken bones heal or come back together. However, it is also sometimes used after the bone has healed to stabilize the neck.

• Cast, halo vest, or traction

In more complex or severe conditions of cervical fracture, the neck brace or brace is generally more rigid. This tool can be a halo vest (hello vest), traction, a stiffer fracture cast, or a combination of these to prevent movement and hold the bone in its proper position while it heals.

The use of these tools generally takes longer, reaching 8-12 weeks or 2-3 months, until the bones heal.

• Operation

Broken bone surgery can also be done to treat cervical fractures. Generally, surgery or surgery is performed when the broken bone is dislodged or shifted away from its normal position.

Through a surgical procedure, these fractures are realigned back into their normal positions and use plates, screws, or cables to hold the pieces of bone in place. In addition, surgery is also often performed to reduce pressure on the spinal cord due to neck fractures that occur.

• Therapy

After recovering, you will need to undertake physical therapy or rehabilitation to restore strength to the neck muscles that are prone to stiffness due to fractures. This therapy is also useful for increasing stability and better protecting the cervical spine. Usually, physical therapy lasts for several months or even years until your neck is completely healed and can carry out normal activities.

You may also need other types of therapy, such as occupational therapy or psychotherapy, if the cervical fracture has affected the spinal cord and nerves and caused paralysis. This therapy can help you carry out normal activities, such as work or social life. Follow your doctor's advice regarding the need for this therapy or rehabilitation.

The things that help the healing process of the cervical fracture

The fracture healing process can vary from person to person, depending on the age, severity, and health condition of each patient. Children and patients who are in good health may recover faster than older people or have certain medical conditions.

Even a person with low severity can recover in just a few weeks. However, more severe patients can undergo treatment for months.

Apart from these factors, you should take breaks to help speed up the healing process. Don't rush back to normal activities or do certain sports without your doctor knowing. This can actually increase the risk of permanent damage or even paralysis, requiring you to undergo long-term rehabilitation.

You are also advised to do daily exercise according to the advice of your physiotherapist or occupational therapist. Remember to always follow the advice of your doctor and therapist to help with the healing and recovery process, including eating the recommended fracture foods and avoiding various restrictions.