Hyperextension of the neck is one of the most prevalent causes of spinal cord damage.
Excessive force or trauma may dislocate vertebrae and compress the spinal cord, resulting in paralysis that impairs your feeling or movement.
This article will go through the causes, symptoms, and prognosis for neck hyperextension and spinal cord damage.
Neck hyperextension is the most prevalent cause of a kind of spinal cord damage known as central cord syndrome. About 15-25% of partial spinal cord injuries result in central cord syndrome.
High-impact forces produce hyperextension of the neck, which happens when the neck quickly expands, causing vertebrae to dislocate and compress the spinal cord. These kinds of injuries are common in car accidents, falls, and contact sports.
Depending on how badly the neck is hyperextended, several functions innervated by regions below your level of spinal cord injury may be impaired.
A neck spinal hyperextension injury may cause a number of physical and mental difficulties. Some of the most prevalent issues linked with this illness are:
Paralysis
The spinal cord is in charge of conveying messages between the brain and the rest of the body. If the spinal cord is injured, it might result in partial or total paralysis. This may impair the ability to move and control various areas of the body, such as the legs, arms, hands, and chest. The degree of paralysis will be determined by the location and severity of the damage.
Sensational numbness
A spinal cord injury may also cause a lack of feeling in the afflicted regions. This may involve a lack of feeling in the arms or legs, as well as a loss of temperature sensitivity and touch. This might make it difficult to tell whether something is hot or cold or if anything is touching the skin. Loss of feeling may also make it difficult to discern the position of the limbs, making it more difficult to walk or move without help.
Chronic pain
Neck hyperextension spinal cord damage may result in persistent discomfort in the neck and back. This may be debilitating and difficult to control. Pain may be produced by muscular spasms, nerve injury, or pressure on the spinal cord. It might also be induced by the body’s effort to repair the damage. Chronic pain may have a significant impact on one’s quality of life, making it difficult to concentrate on everyday chores, sleep, or even induce despair.
Difficulties with everyday tasks
Bathing, dressing, and cooking may all be challenging after a spinal cord injury. Depending on the degree of the injury, the person may need to depend on others for help with certain duties or may need specific equipment to execute them.
Emotional discomfort
Spinal cord damage may be emotionally upsetting, resulting in sadness, anxiety, and thoughts of hopelessness. The injuries might result in a change in lifestyle and a loss of freedom, which can be tough to accept. The person may feel irritated and overwhelmed by the changes that have happened and may need further emotional assistance.
Loss of bladder or bowel control
A spinal cord injury may cause loss of control over bladder and bowel function, which can be embarrassing and inconvenient. This may be caused by nerve injury or muscular weakness. To control bowel and bladder function, the person may need to utilize catheters or other devices. This may have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life and make them feel self-conscious.
Recovery alternatives for neck hyperextension spinal cord injury may vary based on the degree of the damage and the individual’s particular requirements. Some of the most prevalent alternatives are:
Physical treatment
Physical therapy may assist in increasing the range of motion, strength, and flexibility, as well as lessen discomfort and inflammation. Physical therapy may also assist in enhancing function, enabling the client to conduct everyday tasks more readily.
Medications
Medications may be used to treat pain, inflammation, and muscular spasms. Medications may be administered orally or supplied directly to the spinal cord using a spinal cord stimulator.
Surgery
Surgery may be required in certain circumstances to restore or stabilize the spinal cord. Surgery may be done to remove any items pushing on the spinal cord, to fuse the spine, or to remove any tumours or cysts pressing on the spinal cord.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is a crucial element of recovering from a spinal cord injury. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are all examples of rehabilitation. The purpose of rehabilitation is to assist the person in restoring as much function as possible and learning to adapt to their disability.
Assistive technologies
Wheelchairs, braces, and walkers are examples of assistive equipment that may help the user move about more easily and do everyday duties.
Neuroplasticity
Neuroplasticity is the brain’s capacity to restructure itself by creating new neural connections in response to damage or changes in the environment. This may be an essential mechanism for rehabilitation after spinal hyperextension damage.
When the spinal cord is injured, the neuronal connections that were formerly responsible for sending messages to and from the brain may be destroyed. Neuroplasticity may aid in the formation of new neuronal connections, enabling the brain to adapt to the damage and restore some function.
Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other kinds of treatment may all contribute to increasing neuroplasticity. Exercise and other types of physical exercise may aid in encouraging the formation of new brain connections.
It is crucial to highlight that healing from a spinal cord injury is a long process, and the level of recovery may vary substantially. However, with the aid of neuroplasticity, the brain may rewire itself to some extent and restore function, even in situations of severe spinal cord damage.
As you’ve just learned, spinal hyperextension may cause very mild or very severe spinal cord injury. If you ever suffer any kind of extreme force that causes your neck to whiplash, get urgent medical assistance to stabilize any possible spinal cord injury.
