Cervical Spine Injury

Cervical Fracture

Hangman’s: Hyperextension and distraction causing fracture to axis, Traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2, May present with constricted pupil if sympathetic trunk is disturbed, Sharp pain

Spinsous Process: Hyperextension, Sharp pain

Also caused by axial loading

Cervical Dislocation

Caused by excessive rotation, High impact trauma, Typically causes compression of the spinal cord causing profound or permanent sensory impairment, ER

Acute strains of the neck and upper back

Sharp or stretching pain, limited mobility, muscle spasms and/or tenderness, Hyperflexion effects posterior structures, Hyperextension effects anterior structures, commonly caused by sudden movement, heavy lifting or poor posture,

Cervical Sprain (Whiplash)

Pull of muscle, causing sharp pain from hyper flexion, extension and/or rotation

Acute Torticollis (Wryneck)

Atrophy/symmetry of musculature causing head to sit at an unnatural angle

Cervical Cord or Nerve Root Injury

Compression of nerve root from other injury or chronic pains, Special Tests: Cervical Compression, Spurlings, and Bakody sign

Cervical Spine Stenosis

Narrowing of spinal canal in cervical spine causing compression of spinal cord or nerve root, causing pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling of shoulder, arms, and hands, weakness or paralysis

Brachial Plexus Neuropraxia (Burner or Stinger)

C5-C8, caused by traction or impingement, Erb’s point, can be from compression of traction depending how head/neck were hit, Special test: Brachial plexus traction test

Cervial Herniated Disc

Nucleus pulposus is excreted through annulus fibrosis due to compression on spinal cord from overuse or hyperactivity, causing neck pain, shooting arm pain, numbness or weakness

Facet Joint Syndrome

type of spinal arthritis causes by wear and tear or inflammation of small stabilizing joints, typically unilateral, dull ache, occasional referred into craniovertebral or inter scapular region,

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Compression or irritation of nerves of blood vessels in lower neck and upper chest, Special test: Allen test, Roos test, and Military brace position

Neurovascular Dysfuction

Impairment or compression of nerves and blood vessels in neck

Upper Motor Neuron Lesion

Damage to the neural pathways that carry motor signals from the brain to the spinal cord, Special Test: Babinski and oppenheim