Abstract
A cervical spine injury is the most severe form of disease. Clinical symptoms vary from neck pain to quadriplegia or even death.
Not many injuries or diseases cause such fast and complete devastation to a body as quadriplegia. It is necessary to understand basic biomechanics of spine for a better understanding of diagnostic and therapeutically principles.
The expert opinion on stability of spine is a controversial problem in spinal surgery. There are many different opinions on this issue.
For a correct diagnosis of injury to the middle cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction, we can use, thanks to anatomical similarity, classification for injury to the thoracolumbar spine. Case and medical history, as well as a clinical examination are basic examination procedures.
It is very important to have appropriate X-Rays for correct injury classification and diagnostic conclusion followed by an adequate therapy. Every patient is unique and that is why every therapeutical procedure should be strictly individual.
Conservative approach is suitable for patients with injury without any neurological damage or signs of instability. Indication to surgery is absolute and relative.
Absolute indication is an injury with any neurological damage and an open wound. The following may be considered as a relative indication: ligamentous instability, kyphosis over 20°, spinal canal stenosis over 50%, lowering of the high anterior wall of vertebra over 50% and multiple compressive fractures.