Sports-Related Cervical Spine Injuries
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 12,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries occur each year, with sports-related events causing approximately 7.6% of the injuries.
Historically, much attention has been placed on football as a high-risk sport, but during the past decade, ice hockey, diving, and other sports have drawn their share of attention. Overall, the number of catastrophic cervical spine injuries resulting from contact sports has been decreasing since the latter part of the 1970s, primarily because of modifications in […]
Nature and causes of neck pain
Neck pain, more commonly known as cervical pain, is a very common disorder: it is estimated that, everyday, at least 7 out of 10 people have, although with different intensity, neck pain. The incidence and the extent of the disorder depends on the particular vulnerability of the cervical area, that’s one of the most fragile points of the body. This region consists of 7 vertebrae that support the head, allowing neck’s rotation, flexion and extension. In the case of spinal cord injury, consequences […]
Whiplash: symptoms and treatments
Symptoms of whiplash result from sprains and strains at muscles and ligaments located in the cervical region. During a collision, the driver receives an acceleration forward, following which, by inertia, the head goes into hyperextension; in the next step, the neck flexes, making chin impact on chest. The hyperextension phase can cause injuries at the anterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine and damage other soft tissue of the front of the neck, including tears and muscle bleeding. In the most acute cases may […]
What is “cervical pain”?
The improper term of “cervical pain” refers to disorder of neck pain, pain of different intensity affecting the cervical region. Usually it starts at the base of the neck and may spread to shoulders, arms and hands, hindering movements and making it difficult to carry out everyday tasks easier. Neck pain is one of the most common disorders, especially after 45 years: the pain, usually moderate, can persist for months or even years. There are also cases of neck pain among younger people, usually […]
Immobilization of the cervical rachis in a traumatized patient
The term immobilization refers to the use of devices studied to reduce movements of one or more body segments in order to avoid other injuries a part from those already caused by the trauma itself.
Immobilization devices are divided into two categories: devices for partial immobilization and devices for total immobilization. Cervical collars are part of the first of these two groups. This device significantly limits patient’s neck’s movements, although alone is not sufficient to ensure complete immobilization. Cervical collars currently available on the market […]
Patient care with head injury
The approach to a traumatized patient at the accident site implies the implementation of coordinated and sequential rescue techniques aimed at safeguarding the health of the patient. The essential steps of an intervention of this type are
Assessment of the state of consciousness of the patient
Immobilization of the cervical spine
Keep open patient’s breathing ways
Constant monitoring of the respiratory and circulatory activities
Stop the bleeding from any open wounds
Rapid and safe transportation to hospital
Once arrived on the accident’s scene, rescuers should make a rapid assessment of the […]
The importance of cervical collar
Cervical collar is the main device used for atraumatic immobilization of the cervical area: light and practical, it allows a quick access at neck’s front part, allowing at the same time jaw’s opening and limiting active and passive movements, without interfering with breathing and patient’s blood flow. The application can also be performed on a tracheostomy and in general does not hinder any type of emergency resuscitation actions.
The main function of this device is to protect cervical spine from any secondary damage caused by […]
Immobilization of traumatized patients
The trauma of the cervical area is in Italy the most frequent cause of death under 45 years old, with an incidence of around 120 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. 30% of these injuries is to reconnect to car accidents. It is also interesting to note that 27% of patients that reported a spine’s trauma does not feel any pain, so it’s necessary to pay attention even in absence of obvious symptoms, to not cause serious secondary damages. Spinal column’s traumas are a huge burden […]
Trauma and spinal immobilisation: important aspects
Atraumatic immobilisation of spinal area is a series of techniques put in place to transfer patients affected by cervical and/or spinal traumas on a rigid surface in order to avoid a worsening of their already negative health conditions. Spinal immobilisation of traumatised patient is one of the main tasks ruled by rescue teams; both partial (through cervical collars) and total (through spine boards, vacuum mattresses, pickup stretchers). The right immobilisation is reached using different devices, because each one has a specific function ensuring rigidity […]