Case Study: Dislocated Cervical Spine
Before…
A 26 year old male presented suffering from a gradual deterioration of
neck pain and bilateral arm pain, weakness, and altered sensation after
a diving accident at a water park 4 weeks earlier.
The diagnosis is of a delayed presentation of a complex neck fracture
(bilateral cervical fracture / dislocation with neurologic deterioration).
This was treated surgically to restore spinal alignment and space for nerves.
After…
The surgery involved separate posterior (back of neck) and anterior (front
of neck) approaches to reduce the dislocation and fix the fracture with
rods, screws, local pelvic bone graft and a plate.
The patient has recovered fully from the surgery with resolution of neck
pain and the arm symptoms.
He will be able to return to all activities he enjoys though I have
recommended against a return to contact sports.
(A recently well documented similar injury was suffered by a NRL player.)
