Neck/spine injuries Flashcards
How many vertebrae are in the cervical spine?
7 (C1-C7)
What does C1 articulate with?
the occipital bone
What motion of the neck is the atlanto-occipital joint in charge of?
Nodding head up and down
What does C2 articulate with?
C1
What motion of the neck is the atlanto-axial joint in charge of?
Nodding head side to side
What is another name for the C1?
the atlas
what is another name for C2?
Axis
What is in main goal of the vertebrae?
protect the spinal cord
what do the intervertebral discs help with?
spacing and movement
does the lumbar or cervical spine take the initial forces upon impact?
the cervical spine.
What motion is flexion of the neck in charge of?
chin to chest (forward), eat to shoulder (side)
what motion is extension?
looking at the ceiling
what motion is rotation?
chin to shoulder
what is “segmented” motion?
when there is no true hinge joint
True or false: each vertebrae contributes a portion to overall movement of neck?
true
what does axial loading do?
places the neck in a slightly flexed position (a segmented column)
what are the 5 common mechanisms of injury?
hyperflexion, hyperextension, rotation, lateral flexion, and axial loading
when did the NCAA enact the rule barring “spearing”?
1976
What are 4 intrinsic predisposing risk factors?
- cervical or spinal stenosis
- weak musculature
- long, thin neck
- previous neck injury
what are the 5 aspects of the path-mechanics to axial loading?
- axial loading (the mechanism)
- compression deformation
- critical force (threshold reached)
- buckling
- failure
Where does buckling typically occur?
C3, C4, and C5
What is the #1 priority for catastrophic cervical spine injuries?
immobilize the head and neck
What should you not do (specifically in football) when there is a suspected head and neck injury?
- remove the helmet
- move the athlete
- use ammonia capsules
- rush through the secondary survey
should you use a soft or rigid brace for suspected catastrophic CSI?
rigid
true or false: you should always assume a catastrophic CSI with a suspected head injury until you can rule out the concussion?
true
What are the three types of CSI?
- strain/sprain
- Fracture/dislocation
- Brachial Plexopathy
what is the most common CSI?
strain/sprain
what is brachial plexopathy?
a disruption in function that could cause pain and weakness
could fractures/dislocations cause spinal cord injuries?
yes
what are the MOIs for sprains and strains?
whiplash (hyperextension), hyperflexion, extension, and rotation
what muscles do sprains and strains involve?
ones that support/move neck and ligaments that support the spine
what could strains and sprains lead to?
the pain-spasm-pain cycle
What is the goal of acute care?
to break the pain-spasm-pain cycle with the use of modalities
what modalities should be used during acute care treatment?
cryotherapy, heat, and positioning
what is a stable fracture?
there is no displacement of bone that occurs.
do stable fractures involve the spinal cord?
no
what is a complete fracture/dislocation?
function below the neurological level is lost. there is no sensory or motor function below that level.
what is an incomplete fracture/dislocation?
some sensation and movement below the level is retained.
where do most catastrophic SCI injuries occur?
from C3-C5
where on the spine does a fracture/dislocation occur that leads to quadriplegia or tetraplegia?
C1/C2
What are primary injuries a result from?
damage from initial traumatic event
what occurs during a primary injury?
there’s a fracture to vertebral segments
what are secondary damages from?
inflammatory response
what do SCI result in?
myelopathy (demyelination) and fibrosis
