Injuries to the Head and Spine Chapter 12 Injuries to the Head and Spine

Head and Spinal Injuries Any injury to the head or spine is a serious matter. An injury to the head can cause: Brain hemorrhage (traumatic brain injury) Fracture to the skull Can send fragments of the skull into the brain Swelling (edema)

Head and Spinal Injuries Spinal injuries can be life threatening and can cause paralysis. Spinal cord Serves as the communication pathway between the brain and the rest of the body

Sports that Carry a Higher Risk of Neck Injury Gymnastics Ice hockey Basketball Football Diving Motocross Extreme sports

The Nervous System Main components: Brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spinal nerves and peripheral nerves System is highly organized and intricate Main function is to coordinate and regulate the body’s many responses to internal and/or external environmental changes

The Nervous System Basic structural unit of the nervous system is the nerve cell, or neuron Main function of the neuron is to send information from the body to the brain, and vice versa Sensory neurons Afferent neurons

The Central Nervous System Consists of the brain and spinal cord The brain Surrounded by a protective barrier of membranes called meninges

The Central Nervous System Parts of the brain include: Ventricles Cerebrum Cerebellum Midbrain Pons Medulla oblongata

The Central Nervous System Spinal cord Attached to medulla oblongata and continues down to the first or second lumbar vertebrae of the back Protected by the vertebrae, cerebrospinal fluid, and meninges

The Central Nervous System The spinal cord’s two major functions are to: Conduct impulses through nerves Connect body parts to the brain

The Peripheral Nervous System Outside the central nervous system Responsible for gathering information and carrying the response signals to and from the central nervous system Composed of the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord

The Peripheral Nervous System Subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system Somatic Controls the skeletal muscles responsible for voluntary movement Autonomic Regulates the balance between the involuntary functions of the body and allows the body to react in emergency situations

Treating a Downed Athlete If an athlete is down and unconscious: Always treat the athlete as if he or she has a possible head or spinal injury. Start the athlete’s injury assessment by doing a primary survey. Note the time in case the athlete is unconscious.

Treating a Downed Athlete If an athlete is down and unconscious: If there is a second person available, have that person keep nonessential personnel away from the athlete. Second person can also activate emergency action plan Establish control of the situation. Record all findings during the history and evaluation.

Concussions Caused by a blow or jolt to the head Cause an alteration in brain function Cerebral concussion causes immediate symptoms: Headache, dizziness, nausea, symptoms of disorientation, and confusion resulting from swelling at the point of contact

Post-Concussive Symptoms Any loss of consciousness Persistent low-grade headache Light-headedness Poor concentration Posttraumatic amnesia Retrograde Anterograde

Post-Concussive Symptoms Sleepiness Loss of concentration Loss of coordination Slurred or incoherent speech Irritability Anxiety Depression

Post-Concussive Symptoms Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Vacant stare Disorientation (altered mental status) Nausea and/or vomiting Pupils not reacting evenly to light or unresponsive

Injuries to the Ear Cauliflower ear Otitis externa (swimmer’s ear) Rupture of the tympanic membrane Foreign bodies in the ear

Injuries to the Eye Contusions Corneal abrasions or lacerations Retinal detachment Foreign bodies and embedded objects Fractures Orbital roof and blowout

Injuries to the Eye Conjunctivitis Sty Hyphema Ruptured globe Contact lens complications

Injuries to the Nose Nosebleeds (epistaxis) Nasal septal deviation Nasal septal hematoma Nasal fractures

Injuries to the Mouth and Jaw Temporomandibular joint dislocation Jaw fractures Dislocations and fractures of the teeth Exposed nerve

Injuries to the Spine Contusions Brachial flexus injuries Abnormal curvatures of the spine Muscle spasms Back sprains

Injuries to the Spine Back strains Fractures and dislocations Intervertebral disc herniation Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis