The spine stretches from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It is composed of 33 vertebrae that help support the body and protect the spinal cord. A broken bone in the neck or spine can be very serious and in some cases, it can lead to paralysis or death. Immediate emergency care is crucial with careful review by an expert spine surgeon
Do not move a person with a neck or spine injury. The person should lie still and wait for an emergency medical team.
If you come upon a person with a possible neck or spine injury, do not move them, but call 911 for emergency help right away and wait for them to arrive. Symptoms of a neck or spine fracture may include:
The goal of treatment of a neck or spine fracture is to return the structure to its normal position. A minor neck fracture or simple spine fracture may be treated with a neck brace for six to eight weeks until the bone heals. Severe or complex fractures often need surgery. In that case, it is important that a neurosurgeon with expertise in neck and spine injuries, be consulted.
For more information about neck and spine injuries, please call our specialists at Advanced Neurosurgery Associates, at 678-312-2700.