properties related to violations of the spinal cord.
spinal cord - the main nerve of the body: all the functions of the body related to his activities. On the one hand, the spinal cord similar to a cable, consisting of many nerve agents - the axons that connect the brain to the muscles, skin and other tissues and organs of the body and control their coordinated work. On the other hand, it looks like a perfect set of computers - connected with each other segments, consisting of nerve cells (neurons) and has a chain along the spinal cord. Regardless of the brain, they can independently regulate the function of internal organs.
Among the reasons for spinal injuries and spinal cord, take the first place road accident. A typical case - the collision of cars. In those fateful seconds head of a man continues by inertia to move forward, motionless body creates a fulcasm. As a result, there is a sharp bend the neck and one ormorevertebrae or intervertebral discs literally casshed. Such a mechanism has even received a special name - "whiplash" injury of the cervical spine. Another common injury to occupants of the car - a fracture of thoracic vertebrae. Often it happens when you use the safety belt. At the time of the collision belt makes a fixed bottom half of the torso and the upper part continues to move forward, which leads to severe load on the thoracic vertebrae, and they do not stand up. Very often, fragments or fragments of the vertebra of the intervertebral disc compress the spinal cord - develop sensitivity disorders, paralysis.
Unfortunately, to anticipate or prevent motor vehicle accident at times impossible. But to help the victim and avoid wrong actions that may harm, it is necessary. First of all, for each victim in a car accident, even if he ran out of the car and excitedly yells at others, must wear neck headholder - it always has in the ambulance. " This is evenmorenecessary in the presence of obvious signs of trauma. Each victim should be considered as potentially having an injury of the cervical spine to a special X-ray examination. Through the minutes or hours after the injury damaged vertebrae may further displace and damage the spinal cord. Arise as conductors, and segmental disorder. And the closer the damage to the brain, themoreserious consequences. In case of injury of the cervical spinal cord affect sensitivity and movement in his arms and legs, the activity of the heart and blood vessels, develop respiratory disorders. Suffers a function of the pelvic organs. Quickly joined by trophic disorders ... there bedsores.
very insidious fractures are the first and second cervical vertebrae, which are located directly in the skull. Often they are breaking in a number of separate fragments (bursting fracture of the first cervical vertebra) or there are cracks in the odontoid process the second cervical vertebra. Such injuries can occur only long pain and stiff neck, and later in secondary displacement is compressed the brain stem develops paralysis of limbs or even stop breathing. Simple headholder can prevent these severe complications and save lives.
Let's leave the dangerous road and turn forward to the watery element where you want to dive deeper ... But for some diving this ends in disaster. And the danger is greater if you swim well. Among doctors there is even a special jargon for such cases: "divers" - patients who received an injury of the cervical spine during diving. In water, there is complete muscle relaxation torso and neck, especially when taking alcohol and lower self-control. In a collision on the bottom of the relaxed muscles simply can not keep the neck in a forward position - it is a sharp bend and ... Such a patient after resuscitation - removal of water from the airway, artificial respiration and indirect heart massage if necessary - in any case can not be transported without headholder .
How do you determine spine fracture, even if there is paralysis? An important feature is the strong nagging pain in the spine. For example, your 15-year child jumped off the garage, he felt pain in his back a week and says that the back still hurts. This is an alarming symptom. If the pain is delivered into the hands or feet, this may indicate irritation of the nerve roots of the spinal cord. In all such cases must undergo radiographic examination of the spine. Sometimes the trauma center do not exhibit spinal injury and severe pain remains. Use modern survey methods - computerized and magnetic resonance imaging. They are appointed by the neurosurgeon to remove the suspicion or the detection of difficult to diagnose the fracture.
particularly prone to spinal injury elderly. With age, bone density decreases osteoporosis. Even a fall from a stool or just awkward movement can lead to brittle fracture of the vertebrae. More often in these cases suffer thoracicoinferior and lumbar spine. If, after a similar incident occurred just a pain in the spine, which has been simmering for a few days, it is imperative examined by a doctor.
What can medicine in connection with such a complex injury, as fracture of the spine? Fortunately, a lot. Modern approach to treatment of patients with spinal cord injuries are very active. If 10-20 years ago, the main treatment was immobilization - strict bed rest and plaster cast for months, then now the majority of patients with severe spinal cord injuries operate. The newest technologies allow to strengthen damaged vertebrae with titanium designs, so the next day after surgery, the patient can walk or use a wheelchair. This makes it possible to start rehabilitation sooner and quickly return to normal life and work. Unfortunately, fear of surgery patients often leads to a tragic finale. At the turn of the blood supply to the vertebra is broken, which could lead to its resorption through several months or even years. As a result of advancing the secondary displacement of vertebrae and spinal cord compression. And then even modern medicine is powerless until: paralysis, disturbances of sensitivity and urinating often can not be completely cured.
emerging and new small interventions on the spine. For example, the introduction of needles into the damaged vertebra and fills it with a special restorative plastic. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and is called vertebroplasty.
correct diagnosis, to choose the right method of treatment and to effectively help patients with spinal cord injuries can be a doctor. The sooner the patient becomes, themoreeffective treatment. And then the fracture of the spine may not be the turning point of fate, but only a test, though serious.

A. Basque, J. Borschenko

Source: Journal of Quality of Life. Prevention. "№ 6 November-December 2003

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