28.03.2024

Dislocation of cervical vertebra

One of the most serious and dangerous injuries – dislocation of the cervical vertebra.

It may cause displacement or fracture of the vertebral segments, and spinal cord injury. Not inferior to him in seriousness and complexity of the dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar. The consequence of such injuries can be a disability or worse, death.

By the way, this is a fairly common phenomenon, because the neck and, accordingly, its vertebrae, is always in tension, supporting the head. Besides, this contributes to the sufficient mobility of the cervical vertebrae. Therefore, any strong and sudden movement with such a heavy load can lead to dislocation or lead fracture.

In some cases, it may happen dislocation

The main reason, as already mentioned, this sharp movement:

  • turn;
  • flexion;
  • extension.

Dislocation can happen unexpectedly and spontaneously, when man himself for whatever reason, very strongly and sharply turns his head or bends his neck. And also it can occur due to external forces.

Diagnosis in dislocation of the cervical vertebra

The most frequent injury formed because of the rotation (rotation) or flexion. Moves forward overlying vertebra and often a fracture of the vertebral arches.

To serve the emergence of a dislocation in the cervical and other parts of the human frame can fall when skating and skiing, traffic accidents, diving in shallow areas of ponds, consequences of fighting, a direct hit at the neck or fall on it gravity and other factors. Another reason may be the desire to show someone your athletic and acrobatic skills, for example, a handstand.

To determine the degree of severity of the injury, it is necessary to conduct accurate and detailed examination using an x-ray and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography). It is also important to be examined by a specialist, because treatment can be prescribed only by a qualified doctor.

For the prevention and treatment of diseases of the JOINTS our constant reader uses the increasingly popular NON-surgical method of treatment is recommended by leading German and Israeli orthopedists. Thoroughly acquainted with him, we decided to offer it to your attention.

What are dislocations and subluxations

In the upper (cervical) part of the spine 7 vertebrae, labeled from C1 to C7. The first two vertebrae are different from the rest. S1 is called “Atlas”, the second vertebra – the axis.

On the extent of damage are distinguished:

  1. Dislocations and subluxations of the vertebrae below C2.
  2. Dislocation of articulation of the first and second cervical vertebrae, that is, Atlanto-axial. Concomitant fracture of the tooth axis. Most of these injuries happen in car accidents and in sports. The severity is high enough.
  3. Dislocation of the connection of Atlanta and the occipital bone. When such damage occurs, the gap of the spinal cord, usually such a trauma incompatible with life.

The method of obtaining sprains vary:

  1. Unstable. This dislocation of the cervical spontaneously opravivshis.
  2. The subluxations. That is, a partial dislocation.
  3. Complete dislocation. Can also be simultaneously, Pereloma-dislocation or vertebral fracture of the cervical spine.
A dislocated cervical vertebra in a child: causes

Often occurs in newborns due to underdevelopment of the muscles of the neck. Why is it important to support the head crumbs the first time after his birth until little neck will get stronger.

Also newborns can occur dislocations at birth: if improper maintenance or abnormal labor.

Due to the fact that toddlers are constantly moving and have immature cervical ligament, and can often be unattended, they often occur subluxations in the cervical section of the spine. Jumping from a height, tumbling, doing a handstand, they are very prone to getting this injury, the severity of which is different. And often, damage can occur during sudden deceleration of the vehicle, when the baby’s head rapidly tilts back.

Very often children found a rotational dislocation.

But the most unpleasant that the dislocation may not be diagnosed, and the consequences then maybe even after a few years when the baby grows up to be rather unpleasant. Improper formation of the gait, memory problems, tearfulness, and fatigue – are just some of the manifestations.

Important! A particular danger of dislocations and subluxations in the cervical spine in infants and, in General, all children present because of the special location they have vertebrae and the gap between the bones. X-rays may not recognize. Doctors have to conduct a very thorough investigation to discover the injury.

Dislocations of the vertebrae of the thoracic and lumbar spine

Spinal injury in General and in particular the lumbar, thoracic and cervical threat of damage to the spinal cord.

The displacement of the vertebrae of the lumbar

Damage to the vertebrae in the lower back rarely happens.

Symptoms of a sprain depend on whether the damaged matter of the spinal cord:

  1. Pain in the back and stomach. It can also give in the groin, buttocks, legs.
  2. Man injured vertebra in the lumbar region, may be in a forced position. Feet can remain stationary or their movement restricted.
  3. The impossibility of urination.

During the examination the doctor no apparatus can detect the gap of a straight spine in trauma. Also in this area can be abrasion, scratches, severe bruising.

Damage to the thoracic vertebra

The vertebrae of this part of the spine, are in very tight connection with each other, the net dislocation here is almost impossible. Manifestations of such injury are the same as in dislocation of the lower back: breach sensitivity, severe pain, etc.

The symptoms of dislocation of the cervical spine

It is important to know that you don’t have symptoms of dislocation can occur. It depends on its severity. Sometimes in uncomplicated damage that they are having in a few hours, or even days, after injury in the form of edema.

The severity of the sprain can range from mild and unnoticeable to very severe.

Dislocation accompany the following symptoms:

  • the tension of the muscle tissue;
  • severe pain;
  • the impossibility of head movement;
  • swelling;
  • the deepening at the site of injury and bulging of the damaged vertebra.

If the injury affected the nerves, then you can expect the following manifestations:

  • headaches;
  • noise in the ears;
  • insomnia;
  • violation of the sensitivity of the skin of hands;
  • pain in the shoulders and lower jaw;
  • visual disturbances.

Subluxations and dislocations of Atlanta serious severity accompanied these symptoms:

  • disability;
  • dizziness (rarely).
  • loss of consciousness (rare).

Subluxations of the axis and C3 vertebra characterized, in addition to neck pain, pain when trying to swallow. It is also possible swelling of the tongue.
When injury of the lower vertebrae of the cervical spine observed these signs: pain in the shoulder girdle and the sternum.
Injured person requires complete immobility, regardless of the severity of the damage, because any movement can have very unpleasant consequences. Moreover, it is impossible to even try to plant! Rest and lack of movement need to provide before the arrival of ambulance crews. The patient needs to see a neurologist, traumatologist and neurosurgeon, who after a complete examination set the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Diagnosis and treatment of dislocation

Especially important proper transport of the patient. It should be performed only by experienced doctors who know how to attach the neck (by means of the bus wire, the collar or tyre trench) and save them from pinching the spinal cord.
Diagnosis is carried out using techniques such as x-rays in lateral projection, magnetic resonance and computer tomography and consultation of neurologist.

Acupuncture

Whatever the symptoms, mild or severe, treatment should start immediately. If fracture or dislocation is not right immediately, then it will be impossible to do. The extent of the damage determines the treatment.

If it is a simple offset, it the right hands, i.e. make the so-called one-stage reduction:

  • The patient is placed on his stomach, carefully craning his head and then turning it on the healthy side, thus freeing the vertebra. Then heads turn and dislocated vertebrae back into place. Of course, the procedure is anesthetized.

After the reposition is optionally an x-ray which confirms that all the steps correctly.

Also the offset is set with a special loop Gleason.

  • The patient should lie on a hard bed, whose upper part is raised by approximately two feet. Chin does the loop, the other end being transferred from the load, the maximum weight is 7 or 8 kg, through the head end of the patient’s bed. The stretching occurs under the action of gravity of the body and cargo.

Still used skeletal traction, especially if the dislocation is accompanied by fracture. Despite the complexity of the procedures, skeletal traction patients move easier than a loop Gleason. Fracture and dislocation reduce within a few hours, it will be checked by x-ray.

Further, closed fracture or dislocation is fixed with a special bandage or corset with growdigital. Such bandage or corset prevents relapse, so they are worn for quite a long time.
But if the vertebra shifted, pinching the spinal cord, there is, of course, need surgery. After the operation is superimposed on the neck of the fixing plaster, which is not removed within six months.

Rehabilitation includes: physiotherapy (massage and physical therapy), acupuncture and Spa treatment.

Dislocations and subluxations of the cervical vertebrae, serious enough for the severity of the injury, which in any case can not be ignored. Timely medical aid, medical treatment, and subsequently the implementation of all recommendations and doctor’s appointments, allows you to avoid unpleasant complications in the future.

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