Neck/spine injuries

Question 1

How many vertebrae are in the cervical spine?

Answer 1

7 (C1-C7)

Question 2

What does C1 articulate with?

Answer 2

the occipital bone

Question 3

What motion of the neck is the atlanto-occipital joint in charge of?

Answer 3

Nodding head up and down

Question 4

What does C2 articulate with?

Answer 4

C1

Question 5

What motion of the neck is the atlanto-axial joint in charge of?

Answer 5

Nodding head side to side

Question 6

What is another name for the C1?

Answer 6

the atlas

Question 7

what is another name for C2?

Answer 7

Axis

Question 8

What is in main goal of the vertebrae?

Answer 8

protect the spinal cord

Question 9

what do the intervertebral discs help with?

Answer 9

spacing and movement

Question 10

does the lumbar or cervical spine take the initial forces upon impact?

Answer 10

the cervical spine.

Question 11

What motion is flexion of the neck in charge of?

Answer 11

chin to chest (forward), eat to shoulder (side)

Question 12

what motion is extension?

Answer 12

looking at the ceiling

Question 13

what motion is rotation?

Answer 13

chin to shoulder

Question 14

what is “segmented” motion?

Answer 14

when there is no true hinge joint

Question 15

True or false: each vertebrae contributes a portion to overall movement of neck?

Answer 15

true

Question 16

what does axial loading do?

Answer 16

places the neck in a slightly flexed position (a segmented column)

Question 17

what are the 5 common mechanisms of injury?

Answer 17

hyperflexion, hyperextension, rotation, lateral flexion, and axial loading

Question 18

when did the NCAA enact the rule barring “spearing”?

Answer 18

1976

Question 19

What are 4 intrinsic predisposing risk factors?

Answer 19

1. cervical or spinal stenosis
2. weak musculature
3. long, thin neck
4. previous neck injury

Question 20

what are the 5 aspects of the path-mechanics to axial loading?

Answer 20

1. axial loading (the mechanism)
2. compression deformation
3. critical force (threshold reached)
4. buckling
5. failure

Question 21

Where does buckling typically occur?

Answer 21

C3, C4, and C5

Question 22

What is the #1 priority for catastrophic cervical spine injuries?

Answer 22

immobilize the head and neck

Question 23

What should you not do (specifically in football) when there is a suspected head and neck injury?

Answer 23

• remove the helmet
• move the athlete
• use ammonia capsules
• rush through the secondary survey

Question 24

should you use a soft or rigid brace for suspected catastrophic CSI?

Answer 24

rigid

Question 25

true or false: you should always assume a catastrophic CSI with a suspected head injury until you can rule out the concussion?

Answer 25

true

Question 26

What are the three types of CSI?

Answer 26

1. strain/sprain 2. Fracture/dislocation 3. Brachial Plexopathy

Question 27

what is the most common CSI?

Answer 27

strain/sprain

Question 28

what is brachial plexopathy?

Answer 28

a disruption in function that could cause pain and weakness

Question 29

could fractures/dislocations cause spinal cord injuries?

Answer 29

yes

Question 30

what are the MOIs for sprains and strains?

Answer 30

whiplash (hyperextension), hyperflexion, extension, and rotation

Question 31

what muscles do sprains and strains involve?

Answer 31

ones that support/move neck and ligaments that support the spine

Question 32

what could strains and sprains lead to?

Answer 32

the pain-spasm-pain cycle

Question 33

What is the goal of acute care?

Answer 33

to break the pain-spasm-pain cycle with the use of modalities

Question 34

what modalities should be used during acute care treatment?

Answer 34

cryotherapy, heat, and positioning

Question 35

what is a stable fracture?

Answer 35

there is no displacement of bone that occurs.

Question 36

do stable fractures involve the spinal cord?

Answer 36

no

Question 37

what is a complete fracture/dislocation?

Answer 37

function below the neurological level is lost. there is no sensory or motor function below that level.

Question 38

what is an incomplete fracture/dislocation?

Answer 38

some sensation and movement below the level is retained.

Question 39

where do most catastrophic SCI injuries occur?

Answer 39

from C3-C5

Question 40

where on the spine does a fracture/dislocation occur that leads to quadriplegia or tetraplegia?

Answer 40

C1/C2

Question 41

What are primary injuries a result from?

Answer 41

damage from initial traumatic event

Question 42

what occurs during a primary injury?

Answer 42

there’s a fracture to vertebral segments

Question 43

what are secondary damages from?

Answer 43

inflammatory response

Question 44

what do SCI result in?

Answer 44

myelopathy (demyelination) and fibrosis