Neck Injury :

WHAT IS A NECK INJURY?

A neck injury is any damage to the neck including soft tissue, bone, spinal column and nerves.

SHOULD YOU MOVE A PATIENT WITH A NECK INJURY?
DO NOT MOVE PATIENTS WITH NECK INJURIES UNLESS THEY ARE IN HARM’S WAY. This is also good advice for patients with head injuries, as head injuries are often associated with neck injuries. In either case, wait for trained medical personnel to help with moving the patient.

What are The Different Types of Neck Injuries?

The most common neck injuries include a crick in the neck, a muscle strain, a neck sprain, whiplash, a herniated disc, a neck fracture (break in a cervical bone), a cervical dislocation, stingers and burners (temporary injuries to the nerve root or brachial plexus), and a spinal cord injury. The first three listed are soft tissue injuries that can be mild, moderate, or severe and are graded, meaning they range from mild to severe. The most severe cases may require emergent medical treatment due to pain or risk of fracture or vertebral dislocation.

What are some common causes of neck injuries?

The most common causes of neck injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
•  Falls
•  Acts of violence
•  Sports and recreational injuries
•  Alcohol
•  Diseases

What Are the Symptoms of a Neck Injury?

Neck injuries can lead to spinal cord injury and permanent disability. Symptoms of a neck injury often include:

•  Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back
•  Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body
•  Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes
•  Loss of bladder or bowel control
•  Difficulty with balance and walking
•  Impaired breathing after injury
•  Oddly positioned or twisted neck or back

What Can You Do to Help?

There are several things you can do to help someone with a traumatic neck or back injury while waiting for emergency care to arrive, including:

•  Don’t move the injured person, which could cause spinal cord damage
•  Do not try to straighten the neck
•  Do not remove a helmet
•  your local emergency assistance number
•  Keep the Person Still
•  Place Thick Towels on Both Sides of the Neck or Hold the Head and Neck
•  Provide basic first aid
•  Stop any bleeding
•  Make the person comfortable

How is a Neck Injury Treated?

Serious neck injuries require immediate medical attention, as they can lead to serious spinal damage or fatal complications, including paralysis. When you come to The Emergency Center, the doctor will quickly provide treatment with personal care and make a plan for your recovery.