1. Injuries to the Head and Spine
Chapter 15
Injuries to the Head and Spine

2. Head and Spinal Injuries
Any injury to the head or spine is very serious
A head trauma
Can cause the brain to bleed
Can fracture the skull
Can even send a fragment of the skull into the brain
Rich in blood supply, so bleed in the head and neck can easily be profuse
14 facial bones

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

4. Head and Spinal Injuries
Sports that carry a higher risk of neck injury
Gymnastics
Ice hockey
Basketball
Football
Diving
Extreme sports

5. The Nervous System The main components:
Brain, cranial nerves, spinal cord, spinal nerves and peripheral nerves
System is highly organized and intricate
Coordinating and regulating the body’s many responses to internal and/or external environmental changes

6. The Nervous System
Basic structural unit of the nervous system is the nerve cell, or neuron
The neuron causes the body to react to its environment

7. Nervous System Divisions
Central nervous system (CNS)
Peripheral nervous system (PNS)

8. The Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord
The brain
Surrounded by a protective barrier of membranes called meninges
Needs continues blood flow to provide cells with oxygen and glucose

9. The Central Nervous System
Parts of the brain include:
8 cranial bones
Ventricles
Cerebrum responsible for sound, sight, smell & touch
Cerebellum controls muscle coordination
Midbrain
Pons
Medulla oblongata controls involuntary actions

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

11. 7 12 5 5
33 Total

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

13. The Peripheral Nervous System
Outside the central nervous system
Responsible for gathering information and carries the response signals to and from the central nervous system

14. The Peripheral Nervous System
Composed of the nerves located outside the brain and spinal cord
System is subdivided into the somatic and autonomic nervous system

15. The Peripheral Nervous System
Two divisions of the peripheral nervous system:
Somatic
Autonomic
Sympathetic nervous system
Parasympathetic nervous system

16. Evaluating a Head and Spinal Injury
If an athlete is down and unconscious
Always treat the athlete as if he or she has a possible head or spinal injury
Begin timing length of time unconscious as soon as it is noticed.

17. What is a Concussion??

18. Concussions Caused most frequently by direct blows to the head
Sudden jerks of the head and neck can also produce concussions
Causes immediate symptoms
Headache, dizziness, nausea, disorientation and confusion resulting from swelling at the point of contact

19. Post-Concussive Symptoms
Any loss of consciousness
Persistent low-grade headache
Poor concentration
Retrograde amnesia
No memory of the time immediately before the injury
Memory test need to be done more than once after injury

20. Post-Concussive Symptoms
Anterograde amnesia
No memory of being injured or of the time immediately before the injury
Sleepiness

21. Post-Concussive Symptoms
Loss of coordination
Slurred or incoherent speech
Irritability
Anxiety, depression
Ringing in the ears

22. Post-Concussive Symptoms
Vacant stare and disorientation
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pupils do not react evenly to light or are unresponsive

23. Concussion Severity Guide
Grade 1 – (mild) no loss of consciousness. Headache and some confusion may occur accompanied by generally mild symptoms, such as nausea, blurred vision, dizziness

24. Concussion Severity Guide
Grade 2 – (moderate) Pt is conscious, but exhibits confusion and amnesia (partial or total memory loss), nausea, increased headache, blurred vision, and/or increased symptoms of disorientation (dizziness, loss of bearings, etc.)

25. Concussion Severity Guide
Grade 3 – (severe) loss of consciousness and/or coma which can be fatal.

26. Injuries to the Ear The ear is responsible for hearing and balance
In sports most injuries occur to the outer ear
Make sure to wear proper head protection
Can apply petroleum jelly to prevent friction

27. Injuries to the Ear Cauliflower ear Otitis externa
Swimmer’s ear
Rupture of the tympanic membrane
Foreign bodies in the ear
Remove earring prior to play

28. Injuries to the Eye A delicate and detailed organ
Retina convert light and dark rods
Cornea permits light rays to pass through to the retina

29. Injuries to the Eye Contusions Corneal abrasions or lacerations
Retinal detachment separation of retina, normally not painful
Patch the eye
Protective eye goggles
Foreign bodies and embedded objects
Fractures
Orbital roof and blowout

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

31. Injuries to the Nose Nosebleeds (Epistaxis) Nasal septal deviation
Apply direct pressure and cold compress
Sit-up, lean forward & pinch nose
Absorbent nose plugs may be used
Athletes should wear protective face gear
May blow nose 2 hours after bleeding has stopped
Nasal septal deviation
Nasal septal hematoma
Nasal fractures

32. Injuries to the Mouth and Jaw
Temporomandibular joint dislocation
Jaw fractures
Dislocations and fractures of the teeth
Should wear mouth guards to protect teeth
Exposed nerve

33. Injuries to the Spine Contusions
Brachial plexus injuries when the head is moved sharply to the side
Abnormal curvatures of the spine
Muscle spasms

35. Injuries to the Spine Back sprains Fractures and dislocations
Intervertebral disc herniation
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis