See Understanding Hand Pain and Numbness. See Treatment for Neck Pain. Stiff Neck Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment. Neck Strain: Causes and Remedies. What Causes Neck Pain and Dizziness? You are here Conditions Spine Anatomy. Peer Reviewed. C1 fractures: a review of diagnoses, management options, and outcomes. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. Traumatic Spondylolisthesis of the Axis Vertebra in Adults. Global Spine J. Respiratory problems and management in people with spinal cord injury.
The cervical spinal cord is the uppermost section of the nerves that are inside of the neck vertebrae. This region of the spinal cord, which is referred to by vertebral levels as C1-C7, is also the most sensitive in the sense that injuries at this level are the most life-threatening. The vertebrae in this region, atlas C1 and axis C2 , support your skull, allow you to turn and move your head, and protect your spinal cord. To put it simply, higher the injury on the spinal cord, the more damage and loss of function the individual will experience.
Since the cervical spinal cord is the highest part of the spinal column, SCIs in this section of the spinal column tend to have the gravest effects. Because the cervical spine is closer to the brain, and therefore affects a larger amount of the human body, spinal cord injuries that affect the atlas C1 and axis C2 sections of the spinal cord frequently result in death. For those who survive, these injuries often involve the loss of function to the neck and everything below it — which may result in full paralysis.
When someone experiences complete or partial paralysis from the neck down — their trunk and all four limbs — it is commonly referred to as tetraplegia or quadriplegia. An injury to the cervical vertebrae C1 and a C2 spinal cord injury are both considered highly rare injuries to sustain. More common cervical spinal cord injuries affect the C4 and C5 levels of the spinal column.
Although injuries can occur at this level, they are not very common. Medical professionals see more injuries to the C4 and C5 area. The most frequent cause of a C1 fracture is diving, followed by vehicular accidents, and then falls that impact the head. Atlas C1 and axis C2 injuries are the most severe because damage to the spinal cord at any level has potential to remove communication to the rest of the body below that point. Due to the high level and placing of these vertebrae at the top of the neck, having a C2 or C1 vertebrae out of place or suffering sustained damage is most often fatal or leaves the individual fully paralyzed.
Symptoms following an injury to the cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 may include:. Immediate treatment is crucial in the case of a cervical vertebrae C1 or C2 injury, and the head must be securely stabilized to prevent any further damage. It is likely that the person may have suffered a concussion, and so may be unable to accurately report pain. Keeping the head and neck in a constant position is one method of encouraging healing; one that is still in use today through various immobilization apparatuses, such as hard-collars or halo vests.
Depending on the injury, an individual may have to wear these medical devices for a number of months. The halo vest has been used for many years. However, more recently, it has been shown to be effective at preventing any further neurological injury in people with cervical spine injuries.
Direct lateral mass screws are used to ensure no further movement of the vertebrae while preserving the upper cervical motion segments for the future.
This surgical method has been extensively used, and studies have proven to be safe, with minimal complications and low rate of morbidity for cervical myelopathy treatment. Spinal cord injuries are considered either incomplete or complete, meaning that the communication between the spinal cord and the brain is either partially impeded or fully impeded.
This could be due to tissue inflammation that is pressing against the spinal cord nerves, foreign objects, or partial or complete severance of the cord itself. This can result in the partial or full loss of motor and sensory functions below the injury site. An injury to the cervical vertebrae C1 and C2 spinal cord injury are both considered highly rare injuries to sustain.
More common cervical spinal cord injuries affect the C4 and C5 levels. Injuries here have the potential to remove impulses to the rest of the body below that point. Due to their position on the spinal column, having a C1 or C2 vertebrae out of place, or an injury such as a spinal fracture, most often either leads to death or complete paralyzation.
Symptoms following a cervical vertebrae injury to the atlas C1 and axis C2 may include:. Treatment options for vertebrae injury at the C1 and C2 levels will not reverse the damage. Survivors of cervical spinal cord injuries at this level will likely require assistance for the remainder of their lives. Treatments are done to provide symptom relief, prevent further spinal cord damage, and to aid the patient in using the remaining function of their body.
However, people with these injuries will still require hour care and assistance from family, friends, or a professional caregiver or multitude of each. Medical researchers are continuously looking for treatment options for spinal cord injury patients. The use of stem cells has shown promising results in regenerating function lost due to this debilitating injury. Injecting these cells into the injured spinal cord may improve overall function and aid in the recovery of the spinal cord.
Although this research is still in its infancy, human patient studies have reported improved walking and sensory perception. Spinal cord injuries are traumatic for patients and their families. They cause disruptive changes to every aspect of your life and there is a lot of new information to navigate and understand. Our experts have collected everything in one place to help you learn more about your injury, locate doctors and treatment centers, find financial support, and get assistance navigating your next move.
Get Legal Advice. Author: Spinalcord. C2 Spinal Vertebra Defined As C2 spinal vertebra is the second of the seven cervical vertebrae and follows the C1 vertebra. C1 and C2 Anatomy The C1 and C2 vertebrae are part of the seven vertebrae that make up the cervical column that supports the neck and head.
Functions of C1 and C2 The role of the cervical vertebrae is to support the neck and head, as well as protect the spinal cord from injury. Symptoms following a cervical vertebrae injury to the atlas C1 and axis C2 may include: Complete paralysis of arms and legs Muscle atrophy Limited head and neck movement Compromised continence control Trouble breathing without apparatus and assistance Ability to speak reduced or impaired Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments for C1 and C2 Injuries Treatment options for vertebrae injury at the C1 and C2 levels will not reverse the damage.
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