Cervical Fracture: From 1 Different Sources
a fracture of a vertebra in the neck (see cervical vertebrae). Cervical fractures range from minor, requiring no treatment, to those associated with paralysis and instant death. Treatment can be support with a collar, skull traction, an *orthosis attached to the skull, or surgery, depending on the severity of the fracture.
Cervical means anything pertaining to the neck, or to the neck of the womb.... cervical
An incomplete fracture, in which the bone is not completely broken across. It occurs in the long bones of children and is usually due to indirect force. (See BONE, DISORDERS OF – Bone fractures.)... greenstick fracture
A curious condition in which a fracture occurs of the second (rarely, the third) metatarsal bone in the foot without any obvious cause. The usual story is that a pain suddenly developed in the foot while walking or marching (hence the name), and that it has persisted ever since. The only treatment needed is immobilisation of the foot and rest, and the fracture heals satisfactorily. (For more information on fractures, see BONE, DISORDERS OF – Bone fractures.)... march fracture
Cancer of the cervix – the neck of the womb – is one of the most common cancers affecting women throughout the world. In some areas its incidence is increasing. This cancer has clearly identi?able precancerous stages with abnormal changes occurring in the cells on the surface of the cervix: these changes can be detected by a CERVICAL SMEAR test. Early cancer can be cured by diathermy, laser treatment, electrocoagulation or cryosurgery. If the disease has spread into the body of the cervix or beyond, more extensive surgery and possibly radiotherapy may be needed. The cure rate is 95 per cent if treated in the early stages but may fall as low as 10 per cent in some severe cases. Around 3,000 patients are diagnosed as having cervical cancer every year in the United Kingdom, and around 1,500 die from it. Latest ?gures in England show that the incidence rates have fallen to under 11 per 100,000 women, while death rates fell by more than 40 per cent during the 1990s. The sexual behaviour of a woman and her male partners in?uences the chances of getting this cancer; the earlier a woman has sexual intercourse, and the more partners she has, the greater is the risk of developing the disease.... cervical cancer
This screening test detects abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix (see CERVIX UTERI), enabling an affected woman to have early treatment. The National Health Service has arrangements to check women regularly. A woman’s ?rst test should be within six months of her ?rst experience of intercourse and thereafter at three-yearly intervals for the rest of her life. The test is simple, with some cells being scraped o? the cervix with a spatula and the tissue then being examined microscopically.... cervical smear
The seven bones of the top end of the backbone that form the neck. The ?rst cervical vertebra is the atlas and this articulates with the base of the skull. The axis is the second vertebra, which contains a shaft of bone that allows the atlas to rotate on it, thus permitting the head to turn. (See SPINAL COLUMN.)... cervical vertebrae
Colles’ fracture is a fracture of the lower end of the radius close to the wrist, caused usually by a fall forwards on the palm of the hand, in which the lower fragment is displaced backwards. (See BONE, DISORDERS OF.)... colles’ fracture
See BONE, DISORDERS OF.... comminuted fracture
See BONE, DISORDERS OF – Bone fractures.... fractures
A fracture that occurs as a result of repetitive jarring of a bone. Common sites include the metatarsal bones in the foot (see March fracture), the tibia or fibula, the neck of the femur, and the lumbar spine. The main symptoms are pain and tenderness at the fracture site. Diagnosis is by bone imaging. Treatment consists of resting the affected area for 4–6 weeks. The fracture may be immobilized in a cast.... stress fracture
Bennett’s fracture – so-called after an Irish surgeon, Edward Hallaran Bennett (1837–1907) – is a longitudinal fracture of the ?rst metacarpal bone in the wrist, which also involves the carpo-metacarpal joint.... bennett’s fracture
Enlarged varicose veins on the cervix of the uterus, often accompanying ulcerations or long-term pelvic congestion. A symptom only of congestion or impaired circulation, they can occur in both semi-trivial and serious conditions.... cervical venosities
A variety of fractures around the ankle, accompanied by a varying degree of dislocation of the ankle. In all cases the ?bula is fractured. Named after Percivall Pott, who suffered from this fracture and was the ?rst to describe it (see BONE, DISORDERS OF), it is often mistaken for a simple sprain of the ankle.... pott’s fracture
See: CANCER OF THE WOMB. ... cancer – cervical
A flexible contraceptive device placed directly over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering (see contraception, barrier methods of).... cap, cervical
A form of contraception based on identifying periods for abstinence from intercourse according to the changes in the mucus secreted by a woman’s cervix (see contraception, natural methods of).... cervical mucus method
Stress fractures are comparatively common in sportspeople. They tend to occur when an undue amount of exercise is taken – that is, an amount of exercise which an individual is not capable of coping with in his or her state of training. The main initial feature is pain over the affected bone that has been subjected to abnormal physical stress. This is usually insidious in onset, and worse at night and during and after exercise. It is accompanied by tenderness, and a lump may be felt over the affected site. X-ray evidence only appears after several weeks. Treatment consists of rest, some form of external support, and in the initial stage ANALGESICS to deaden or kill the pain. (See also BONE, DISORDERS OF – Bone fractures.)... stress fractures
An alternative name for cervical osteoarthritis.... cervical spondylosis
The humerus is most commonly fractured at its neck (the upper end of the shaft, below the head), particularly in elderly people. Fractures of the shaft occur in adults of all ages. Fractures of the lower humerus occur most commonly in children.An X-ray can show a fracture of the humerus. A fracture of the bone’s neck usually requires only a sling to immobilize the bone; a fracture of the shaft or lower bone normally needs a plaster cast. Most fractures of the humerus heal in 6–8 weeks.... ’s humerus, fracture of
Fracture of the ulna just below the elbow, with dislocation of the radius from the elbow joint.... monteggia’s fracture
The symptoms, treatment, and possible complications of a fracture of the femur (thigh-bone) depend on whether the bone has broken across its neck (the short section between the top of the shaft and the hip joint) or across the shaft.Fracture of the neck of the femur, often called a broken hip, is very common in elderly people, especially in women with osteoporosis, and is usually associated with a fall. In a fracture of the neck of the femur, the broken bone ends are often considerably displaced; in such cases there is usually severe pain in the hip and groin, making standing impossible. Occasionally, the broken ends become impacted. In this case, there is less pain and walking may be possible. Diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray. If the bone ends are displaced, an operation under general anaesthesia is necessary, either to realign the bone ends and to fasten them together, or to replace the entire head and neck of the femur with an artificial substitute (see hip replacement). If the bone ends are impacted the fracture may heal naturally, but surgery may still be recommended to avoid the need for bed rest.
Complications include damage to the blood supply to the head of the femur, causing it to disintegrate. Osteoarthritis may develop in the hip joint after fracture of the femur neck itself. However, immobility and the need for surgery in the elderly may result in complications, such as pneumonia, that are not directly related to the fracture site.
Fracture of the bone shaft usually occurs when the femur is subjected to extreme force, such as that which occurs in a traffic accident. In most cases, the bone ends are considerably displaced, causing severe pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray. With a fractured femoral shaft there is often substantial blood loss from the bone. In most cases, the fracture is repaired by surgery in which the ends of the bone are realigned and fastened together with a metal pin. Sometimes the bone ends can be realigned by manipulation, and surgery is not necessary. After realignment, the leg is supported with a splint and put in traction to hold the bone together while it heals.
Complications include failure of the bone ends to unite or fusion of the broken ends at the wrong angle, infection of the bone, or damage to a nerve or artery.
A fracture of the lower shaft can cause permanent stiffness of the knee.... femur, fracture of
A combined fracture and dislocation of the ankle caused by excessive or violent twisting. The fibula breaks just above the ankle; in addition, the tibia breaks or the ligaments tear, resulting in dislocation.... pott’s fracture
a procedure to help prevent *preterm delivery. It involves inserting a purse-string suture around the cervix of the uterus between 12 and 14 weeks gestation, either transvaginally or transabdominally, to keep the cervix closed and reduce the possibility of preterm cervical dilatation and rupture of membranes.... cervical cerclage
see ectropion.... cervical ectopy
measurement of the resistance of the cervix during the passage of a series of metal (Hegar) dilators. Lack of resistance in a nonpregnant women may suggest cervical weakness when she has experienced a previous second-trimester pregnancy loss or if she has had previous surgery to the cervix, and may indicate *cervical cerclage in the event of future pregnancies.... cervical resistance index
*screening tests to detect the presence of precancerous changes in the cervix (neck) of the uterus (see cervical intraepithelial neoplasia). *Cervical smears are the standard first-line screening tools in most countries: screening programmes based on the traditional Papanicolaou (Pap) test have been mostly superseded by *liquid-based cytology. *Colposcopy is indicated when abnormal cells (*dyskaryosis) are detected.... cervical screening
see stress fracture.... fatigue fracture
a fracture through diseased or abnormal bone, usually resulting from a force insufficient to fracture a normal bone. Tumour, infection, congenital bone defects, and osteoporosis are among the causes.... pathological fracture
the traumatic rupture of the *tunica albuginea of the erect penis (the fibrous covering of the spongy tissue of the penis).... penile fracture
a fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist, usually caused by a fall onto the outstretched hand. There is pain and swelling in the *anatomical snuffbox and movements of the wrist and thumb are painful. If the fracture is suspected but not initially visible on X-ray, advanced imaging (a bone scan, CT scan, or MRI) is now increasingly used to confirm the diagnosis without delay. Treatment is with a cast for an undisplaced fracture and by internal fixation for a displaced fracture. Due to the anatomy of its blood supply, healing can take a long time, and a *bone graft and internal fixation may be required for non-*union.... scaphoid fracture
a fracture just above the wrist, across the distal (far) end of the radius, resulting in volar (forward) displacement of the hand and wrist below the fracture. It is the reverse of *Colles’ fracture. [R. W. Smith (1807–73), Irish surgeon]... smith’s fracture
a star-shaped fracture of the kneecap caused by a direct blow. The bone may be either split or severely shattered; if the fragments are displaced, the bone may need to be surgically repaired or rarely removed (patellectomy).... stellate fracture
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