Micromechanics of Minor Cervical Spine Injuries.

Upper cervical spine injuries.

The unique anatomy of the upper cervical spine and the typical mechanisms of injury yield a predictable variety of injury patterns. Traumatic ligamentous injuries of the atlanto-occipital joint and transverse atlantal ligament are relatively uncommon, have a poor prognosis for healing, and often respond best to surgical stabilization. Bony injuries, including occipital condyle fractures, atlas ...

Management of Acute Cervical Spine Injuries

The initial management of the polytrauma patient follows the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) practice of airway and cervical spine control, breathing and circulation. Assessment of injuries takes place initially in the form of a primary survey, during which time life-threatening injuries are excluded. This is followed by a secondary survey when a more detailed assessment of injuries is carr...

Soft-tissue injuries of the cervical spine.

Cervical sprain syndrome is usually the result of a hyperextension injury of the neck; symptoms include neck, intrascapular and arm pain, and headache. Associated complaints of the head, neck, and upper extremities are common. The mechanism and pathophysiology of this injury, and the occurrence of associated injuries are discussed. Patient evaluation, treatment, and prognosis are reviewed. A th...

Acceleration Injuries of the Cervical Spine.

Flexion-distraction injuries of the cervical spine.

A 29 year old woman during a non-professional, recreational, wrestling episode sustained a fall on her neck. She immediately experienced severe neck pain and felt weakness in her upper limbs. Her neurological examination in the emergency department, showed grade 3/5 motor strength in deltoid, biceps, brachioradialis, wrist and finger extensors bilaterally. The sensations were bilaterally decrea...