Neck injuries Explained Pt. 1

Most people assume that head injuries are the most devastating. Inasmuch as head injuries can be devastating, a critical body part that is even more devastating is the neck. This article and a subsequent one will discuss neck injuries, common causes, treatment and damages.

According to one site the role of the neck is not just to support the weight of the head but also to protect the nerves carrying sensory and motor information from the brain to the whole body. As such it is the main network line used by the brain to interact with other organs. Unfortunately, it is exposed on our body and therefore, susceptible to injury. Various neck injuries are the result of car accidents, sports accidents and slip and fall accidents. To learn more about receiving compensation for your neck injury speak to a neck injury attorney .

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Centre  reported that about 17,800 new spinal cord injuries happen annually in the U.S. The most common occurrence of spinal cord injuries are the result of car accidents.  The majority of neck injuries are the result of excessive pressure put on individual’s neck. Such pressure can happen when a person falls on their head or neck or if their head is jerked back and forth violently during a car accident. These actions put undue pressure on the neck’s muscles and bones. Neck injuries are serious and can result in paralysis or even death.

There are a number of neck injuries that can result from an accident, some of these include:

• Whiplash injuries – it is generally assumed that whiplash injuries are not serious injuries, however, that back and forth movement or jerking by the head results in neck strain and such strains at times may travel down the spine. Whiplash is a common injury  linked to car accidents.
• Herniated discs – this is a result of a spinal disc leaking of its interior fluids. This can happen naturally or can be a result of falling or some other serious accident. In other instances an accident can worsen a herniated disc.
• Pinched nerves – a pinched nerve is the result of tendons, tissue or bone around the nerve pressing on it. It is often caused by muscle sprain or strain.
• Fractured cervical spine – this is also known as a broken neck and is a result of a serious accident that leaves your spine fractured leading to severe pain and limitations. Because the body needs the movement of the neck this type of injury requires immediate treatment as it can lead to death.

Depending on how severe your neck injury is, symptoms may vary. However, a person who suffers a neck injury may experience the following:

• Headaches
• Stiff neck
• Difficulty breathing
• Muscle spasms and neck and shoulders pain
• Weakness in legs, arms, fingers or hands
• Difficulty turning one’s neck or head
• Tenderness

Some of the common causes of neck injuries include:

• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Diving accidents
• Work-related/ worklplace accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Serious falls