PATH 200 Chapter Notes - Chapter 50: Poikilotherm
Document Summary
Extension injuries occur with excessive forced bending (ie. hyperextension) of the spine backward common in c4 to c6 compression injury causes the vertebral bone to shatter, squash or even burst occurs when there is spinal loading from high velocity blow to the top of the head or when landing forcefully on the feet or buttocks. Primary neurologic injury occurs at the time of mechanical injury and is irreversible. (due to the impact itself) small hemorrhages in the grey matter of the cord, followed by edematous changes in the white matter that lead to necrosis of neural tissue. Management emergency resuscitation immobilization with hard collars and backboards and limiting the movement of persons at risk for or with known cervical traction turning him or her in a log rolling manner to keep the spine rigid early surgical intervention for an unstable spine = early rehab and mobilization.
