Cervical fracture

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Cervical fracture
File:PdensfracCT.png
Synonyms	Broken neck
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	Orthopedics, Neurosurgery
Symptoms	Neck pain, neurological deficits, muscle weakness
Complications	Spinal cord injury, paralysis, death
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Trauma, falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries
Risks	Osteoporosis, high-impact sports, elderly age
Diagnosis	Physical examination, X-ray, CT scan, MRI
Differential diagnosis	Cervical strain, cervical spondylosis, herniated disc
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Immobilization, surgery, physical therapy
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Varies depending on severity
Frequency	Common in trauma cases
Deaths	N/A

Cervical Fracture A Cervical Fracture is a break in one or more of the seven cervical vertebrae (the bones in the neck). This type of fracture is typically caused by high-energy trauma, such as car accidents or falls.

Causes

The most common causes of a cervical fracture include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls
• Sports injuries
• Violence

Symptoms

Symptoms of a cervical fracture can vary greatly depending on the severity of the injury, but may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Paralysis

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a cervical fracture typically involves a physical examination and imaging tests, such as:

• X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Treatment

Treatment for a cervical fracture depends on the severity of the injury, but may include:

• Immobilization
• Pain medication
• Surgery
• Physical therapy

Prognosis

The prognosis for a cervical fracture depends on the severity of the injury and the patient's overall health. Some people may recover fully, while others may have long-term complications.

Gallery

• Cervical fracture
  Cervical fracture
• Cervical fracture dislocation C6-C7
  Cervical fracture dislocation C6-C7
• Teardrop fracture C3 CT marked
  Teardrop fracture C3 CT marked
• Teardrop fracture C3
  Teardrop fracture C3
• X-ray of vertebral lines
  X-ray of vertebral lines
• Vertebral lines
  Vertebral lines
• CT of prevertebral space
  CT of prevertebral space

See Also

• Spinal cord injury
• Neck pain
• Whiplash