Chapter 21

Spinal injury

Muscular weakness in extremities Absent or weak reflexes Sensory changes in the upper clavicular area

Which of the following signs or symptoms would NOT indicate a cervical spinal injury?

Positive Babinski test result

C1-C2

neck flexion

What is the clinical significance of Erb point?

It is the most superficial position of the brachial plexus.

Axial compression loading has been identified as the leading mechanism of injury for severe cervical spine injuries.

T

Because the intervertebral disks are avascular, they rely on changes in posture and body position to produce a pumping action to bring in nutrients.

T

Extension exercises reduce load on the intervertebral disks and allow self-mobilization of the motion segments.

T

Fractures and dislocations commonly occur at the 4th, 5th, and 6th cervical vertebrae.

T

In a brachial plexus injury, pain is usually transient and resolves itself in 5 to 10 minutes.

T

The spinal nerve is composed of two roots. One root is responsible for motor function; the other root is responsible for sensory function.

T

The vertebrae that consists of a bony ring with large, flat, superior articular facets on which the skull rests is the

atlas

The most common mechanism of injury for a cervical fracture is

axial loading and violent neck flexion.

C6

elbow extension wirst flexion

During a brachial plexus injury, muscular weakness is evident in the

external rotators, deltoid, and biceps brachii.

C3

lateral neck flexion

Actions involving stimulation of a motor neuron by a sensory neuron in the spinal cord without involvement of the brain are called

reflexes

The myotome for C5 is

shoulder abduction

A classic sign of an acute burner is muscle weakness in actions involving

shoulder abduction and external rotation.

C4

shoulder elevation

An acute process in which the nucleus pulposus herniates through the posterior annulus, resulting in signs and symptoms of cord or nerve root compression is termed

soft-disk disease.

In an injury involving the spinal cord, a transient loss of somatic and autonomic reflex activity below the level of neurological damage is called

spinal shock

A loss of cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord because of deformation of the spinal cord or a narrowing of the neural canal is called

spinal stenosis

suggest an unstable neck

the player is unconscious. the player is conscious and reports numbness in the upper extremities. the player is conscious, neurologically intact, and reports neck pain.

Osteochondrosis of the spine because of abnormal epiphyseal plate behavior that allows for herniation of the disk into the vertebral body is termed

Scheuermann disease.

Which of the following characteristics would suggest a cervical sprain rather than strain?

Symptoms that persists for several days

A cervical sprain has the same mechanism of injury as a cervical strain, but the action is more violent in nature for the sprain.

T

C7

elbow flexion wrist extension

T1

finger abduction/adduction

C5

shoulder abduction

C8

thumb extension and ulnar deviation

The function of the intervertebral disks is

to allow the spine to bend. to serve as shock absorbers.

A deformity of the neck in which the head tilts toward one shoulder and, simultaneously, the chin rotates toward the opposite shoulder is termed

torticollis

What is the main function of the rotator cuff muscles?

- Stabilize the shoulder and allow for extensive range of motion

What is the immediate management for spear tackler's spine? Why?

- activate EMS, because permanent neurological damage can occur -Check for shock

Describe the three areas that should be addressed in the prevention of injuries to the cervical spine.

- increase strength and flexibility. - Teaching proper techniques in lifting objects to prevent injury. - equipment: neck rolls, which are pads attached to help limit ROM and rib protectors that protect part of the thoracic spine.

Axial loading of the cervical spine occurs when the neck is in a position of

flexion

The cervical plexus consists of the ventral rami of spinal nerves.

C1-C4

A brachial plexus injury usually affects what nerve roots of the plexus?

C5-C6

Identify five "red flags" indicating a possible cervical spine injury.

1. Severe pain 2. Paralysis 3. Absent reflex's 4. Muscle weakness in a myotome 5. Pain radiating into extremities

A cervical fracture or dislocation automatically produces signs of a serious neck injury, namely, sensory or motor problems.

F

A cervical sprain usually involves the sternocleidomastoid and the trapezious

F

Approximately 70% to 90% of all cases of scoliosis can be directly linked to overdevelopment of muscles on the dominant side of the thorax or to a leg length discrepancy.

F

Cervical fractures occur more frequently than cervical dislocations.

F

The thoracic curve is convex posteriorly.

T

The functional unit of the spine is called the

motion segment

Which of the following signs and symptoms is not related to neurological deficits or damage?

referred pain