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The spine stretches from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It's composed of 33 bones (vertebrae) that help support the body. These bones also protect the spinal cord, the important branch of your nervous system that carries messages from the brain to the body. A broken (fractured) bone in the neck or spine can be very serious. In some cases it can lead to paralysis or death. Emergency care is crucial.
Do not move a person with a neck or spine injury. The person should lie still and wait for an emergency medical team. It can help for someone to gently hold the person's head to keep it from moving until help arrives.
If you come upon a person with a neck or spine injury, call for emergency help right away. Wait for emergency services personnel to arrive and take over. A person with a neck or spinal injury may have these symptoms may include:
Severe back or neck pain
Bruising and swelling over the neck or back
Tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet
Loss of bowel or bladder function
Loss of feeling and movement below the level of injury
Weakness or inability to move arms or legs
The injured person may be placed on a spine board that prevents movement for examination.
X-rays of the neck and/or spine may be taken
A computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done. These provide more detailed images of the structures in the neck and back.
Medication may be given to lessen pain.
The goal of treatment is to return the neck or spine to its normal position.
A minor neck fracture or simple spine fracture may be treated with a neck brace for 6 to 8 weeks until the bone heals.
Severe or complex fractures often need surgery. In that case, a bone specialist (orthopaedic surgeon) or nerve specialist (neurosurgeon) may be needed.
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