The cervical spine is composed of 7 vertebra. It connects the skull to the thoracic spine. Due to its great degree of mobility, fractures can easily occur. These fractures are most commonly the result of trauma. However, metastatic cancer, infections, and osteoporosis can also lead to fractures of the cervical spine. The spinal cord may become injured when the cervical spine is fractured. when the nerves exiting the spine in this area are injured, various degrees of weakness or numbness occur in the arms. When the spinal cord is injured, paralysis may involve the legs, arms, bladder, sexual function, bowel function, and the ability to breathe.
Causes of Cervical Spine Fracture
Most cervical spine fractures are the result of trauma. The type of fracture depends of the direction in which the force is applied to the spine as well as the position the neck is in when it is injured. A Flexion-compression fracture, where the head is struck when held in a flexed position, is a common cause of fracture dislocations that causes paralysis. When cancer involves the spine, or osteoporosis weakens the spine, unexpected fractures may occur.
Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Spine Fracture
Neck pain and muscle spasm are common. In severe fractures, when the nervous system is affected, there may be weakness or numbness of the arms or legs, difficulty urinating, decreased blood pressure, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. On rare occasion, the vertebral arteries are injured. These blood vessels pass along the side of the cervical spine and provide the blood supply of the brainstem, cerebellum and posterior part of the cerebrum. They also form some of the blood vessels that supply the cervical spinal cord. When they are injured by a cervical spine fracture, strokes in the supplied areas of the brain may occur. This can lead to paralysis, increased difficulty breathing, double vision, visual loss and death.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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