What cervical fracture causes paralysis?

C7 spinal cord injury and other injuries to the lower cervical vertebrae/nerves can result in paralysis and other health complications. The C6 and C7 cervical vertebrae (and the C8 spinal nerve) form the lowest levels of the cervical spine and directly impact the arm and hand muscles.

How do you diagnose cervical spine injury?

These tests can include:

  1. X-rays. X-rays can reveal vertebral (spinal column) problems, tumors, fractures or degenerative changes in the spine.
  2. CT scan. A CT scan can provide a clearer image of abnormalities seen on X-ray.
  3. MRI. MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images.

Can a neck fracture cause paralysis?

A neck fracture can sometimes result in spinal cord and nerve injury and paralysis. This may require major life changes, involving work, family, and social life.

What type of paralysis would occur with an injury at C6?

After a C6 spinal cord injury, individuals experience varying degrees of paralysis in the upper and lower body, also known as quadriplegia.

What nerves are affected by C4 C5 C6 and C7?

C5, as mentioned earlier, along with C3 and C4, contributes to the phrenic nerve that innervates the diaphragm. Roots C5, C6, and C7 produce the long thoracic nerve, responsible for controlling the serratus anterior.

What are the tests for paralysis?

How is paralysis diagnosed?

  • X-rays show broken bones that could cause nerve injury.
  • Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or MRI, check for signs of stroke or brain injury or spinal cord injury.
  • Myelogram checks for spinal cord and nerve injuries.
  • Electromyogram (EMG) tests the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.

How do you test for spinal nerve damage?

Diagnostic tests for spinal cord injuries may include a CT scan, MRI or X-ray These tests will help the doctors get a better look at abnormalities within the spinal cord. Your doctor will be able to see exactly where the spinal cord injury has occurred.

What happens when you break C5 and C6?

An injury to the spinal cord at the C5-C6 level may cause pain, weakness, or paralysis in the arms and/or legs. There may be loss of bowel and bladder control or breathing problems in some cases. Nonsurgical treatments are often tried first for pain that stems from C5-C6. In rare cases, surgery may be considered.

Can you recover from paralysis?

There isn’t a cure for permanent paralysis. The spinal cord can’t heal itself. Temporary paralysis like Bell’s palsy often goes away over time without treatment. Physical, occupational and speech therapy can accommodate paralysis and provide exercises, adaptive and assistive devices to improve function.

What causes cervical spine fracture?

A fracture, or break, in one of the cervical vertebrae is commonly called a broken neck. Cervical fractures usually result from high-energy trauma, such as automobile crashes or falls. In elderly people, ground-level falls, such as falling off a chair, can result in a cervical fracture. Athletes are also at risk.

What happens if you fracture your C3 and c4 vertebrae?

Paralysis in the torso, legs, wrists, and hands. Paralysis may be experienced on one or both sides of the body. Patients may be able to raise their arms and/or bend their elbows. Patients will need assistance with daily living, but may have some independent function.

What is a cervical fracture?

Cervical spine fractures can occur secondary to exaggerated flexion or extension, or because of direct trauma or axial loading. The cervical spine is susceptible to injury because it is highly mobile with relatively small vertebral bodies and supports the head which is both heavy and acts as a lever.

What are the four mechanisms of cervical spine fracture?

The four major mechanisms are flexion, extension, rotational and shearing, each associated with certain fracture patterns 3,4 : 1. Sliker CW, Mirvis SE, Shanmuganathan K. Assessing cervical spine stability in obtunded blunt trauma patients: review of medical literature.

What is a cervical spine injury?

Cervical spine injury is a serious, life-threatening emergency that can cause paralysis throughout the entire body. Depending on the level and severity of a cervical spinal cord injury, it can affect major body functions like breathing and mobility from your neck down.

What are the signs of unstable cervical spine fractures?

There are many types of cervical spine fracture, some of which are unstable; general indicators of instability include: 1 more than one vertebral column involvement. 2 increased or reduced intervertebral disk space height. 3 increased interspinous distance. 4 facet joint widening. 5 vertebral compression greater than 25%.