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2006-11-17 07:13:28 · 19 answers · asked by ollie 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
I work as a Rn in a trauma center and we see on average 20 people a week who have broken a bone in the cervical spine. Most (99%) are stable fractures and they will get sent home with no other treatment needed other than a neck brace and pain medication after a few days in the hospital.
2006-11-17 07:25:17 · answer #1 · answered by BethEDRN 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No you don't always die when you break your neck. Like any other broken bone issue this type of injury can range from relatively minor to extremely serious the problem with a neck injury is that it can have long term lasting affects even without a fracture so if this is anything other than a rhetorical question seek medical advise asap.
2006-11-17 15:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by chickmedic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you can - Neck injuries can range in seriousness. I had a friend who broke her neck - she did have to have surgery and wear a neck brack but she suffered no long-term effects. But look at Christopher Reeve who was paralized. Then some people break their necks and die instantly. It just depends on where the break occurs
2006-11-17 15:19:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no it depends on where the break is. if it his up high yes but if it is down in the bottom you may just be paralyzed. Sometime people are told the broke their neck when all it is a fracture. So be careful with it. Because you don't want anything happen to it anymore.
Good Luck
2006-11-18 09:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by buddy95 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 'broken neck' is a vague notion promoted in the movies. A bone may be bruised cracked or fractured - and this may produce pain - but not death. Most likely you are referring to an injury to the spinal cord. When the cord is severed ('broken' cut or sliced) a person is paralyzed - but no - they do no die as in the movies. Death occurs only if the nerves which supply the heart and lungs no longer function. Christopher Reeves (now deceased) severed his spinal cord in an equestrian accident.
2006-11-17 16:06:32 · answer #5 · answered by john e russo md facm faafp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on where the break has occurred within the cervical vertebrae. Most have paralysis from the neck down & never regain function.
2006-11-17 15:16:54 · answer #6 · answered by Daiquiri Dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only sometimes.
The problem is that breaking any part of your spine can cause the bones to cut into your spinal cord. When this happens, it can cause paralysis in the parts of your body that are controlled by the nerves that become disconnected by the cut. When it happens in your neck (the top of the spinal cord), it can paralyze your lungs...being unable to breathe is usually what causes death in this type of injury.
2006-11-17 15:23:13 · answer #7 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends on where the break is.
Buster Keaton broke his neck and he was unaware of it for three months
We all know what happened with Christopher Reeves
2006-11-17 15:15:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you can die if you break your neck...and yes you could live. It depends on how bad the injury is. And most likely if you live, you'll be paralized. But there is a few who live and are not paralized.
2006-11-17 15:16:53 · answer #9 · answered by kms010494 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother broke his neck and he did not die nor is he paralyzed. In fact he has no ill effects from it now that he has his head halo off. Perhaps he was lucky eh?
2006-11-17 15:23:22 · answer #10 · answered by help me 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋