Cervical spine injury

The cervical portion of the spine includes the top portion of the spinal cord, comprising seven vertebrae (C-1 to C-7) in the neck.

Being closer to the brain and affecting a larger portion of the body, cervical spinal cord injuries are typically the most severe variety of spinal cord injury. If there is an injury in the cervical area, it will result in tetraplegia/quadriplegia, meaning there is limited or absent feeling or movement below the shoulders/neck.

Cervical spinal cord injuries often involve permanent complete or partial loss of sensory function , and many associated complications. As is the case with all injuries of the spinal cord, injuries located higher on the spine will be more severe, with high cervical spinal cord injury often being fatal.

Spinal Cord Injury Diagnosis

To determine the severity of a spinal cord injury, doctors perform a series of diagnostic tests, including checking the patient’s strength and sensation in his/her arms and legs. Using full imaging assessment tools, doctors screen the body to detect spine fractures or abnormalities. Learn more about the tools used during a spinal cord injury diagnosis test.