Neck & Spinal Injuries in Motor Vehicle Sports

Dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis, scooters, recreational vehicles and other motorized vehicles used in sports contribute to an increasing numbers of neck and spinal injuries every year. Whiplash, burners and fractures are common neck injuries. A severe neck injury related to a fracture can cause damage to the spinal cord.

Whiplash

• An unexpected forceful jerking of the head, causing the head to go back and forth, causes whiplash. The jerking causes the ligaments that connect to the spine to tear or stretch. Pain can begin immediately after the injury or manifest in a few days or weeks. Symptoms of whiplash include back and shoulder pain, stiffness in the neck, dizziness, a pins-and-needles sensation in the area, headaches, memory loss and lack of concentration. Whiplash symptoms can last as long as three months. Treatment might include pain medication, a soft collar worn several times during the day, physical therapy and muscle relaxers.

Burners

• Burners, which are sometimes referred to as stingers, typically occur when pressure causes the shoulders to be pushed down and the head pushed to one side. Burners also can occur when only the head is forced to the side or the collarbone takes a direct hit. Symptoms include a burning feeling in the neck, shoulder or arm. The arm becomes weak and can experience numbness or tingling. The burning sensation might last only a few minutes, but healing of the condition can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. If both arms and a shoulder are affected, the injury is considered crucial, since burners typically occur in one arm at a time. Burners that last more than several days might require physical therapy to regain range of motion and strength. Over-the-counter or prescription medication might be needed for pain.

Fractures

• Neck fractures can cause permanent paralysis.

  Fractures are the most serious neck injury because they can cause damage to the spine, and are typically the result of accidents involving motorcycles, dirt bikes, all-terrain vehicles or jet skis. The treatment for fractures depends on the type and severity of the fracture. Immobilization with a sprint, cast or brace is needed to realign a bone that is out of alignment. Traction is used to assist in immobilization with some fractures, such as spinal cord injuries. Traction involves using weights to realign fractures that are out of position. In cases in which the fracture is severe, a prescription for pain medication might be prescribed.

Spinal Cord Injury

• People who experience a spinal cord injury will experience paralysis below a certain level, or area of the spine. The spine is divided into four levels: the cervical (neck) area, the thoracic (chest) area, the lumbar (abdominal) area and the sacral (sacrum) area. In a spinal cord injury, the paralyzed area is below the level of injury. In the case of the cervical area, if the injury level is C5-C6, the areas at risk for paralysis would be the part of the body mid-chest and below, with possible limitations in the fingers. A complete spinal cord injury means that, at the level of injury, there is a blockage of the brain signals. An incomplete diagnosis means that the damage is partial and there is some movement below the level of injury.

Prevention

• Motor sports-related neck and spinal cord injuries can be prevented by wearing proper equipment. Alcohol should be avoided when using sports vehicles, since it can affect split-second decisions. Accident risks can be decreased if the manufacturer's operating instructions are read, understood and adhered.