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Spinal Support
Ligament Injury 101
Understanding and diagnosing ligament injury plays a critical role in accurately evaluating and treating spinal injuries in patients.
Where Is It?
In and around the spine, there are 220 different ligaments, 23 of these are the vertebral discs and 197 of them are the spinal support ligaments. These ligaments support the vertebrae and hold them in place. Let's take a look at part of the spine illustrated:
Mechanism of Injury
When the ligament tissue is over-stretched the phenomenon is much like overstretching a rubber band to the point that it loses some of its elasticity.
It will never regain the tautness it once had. In this way, after the ligaments are damaged, they allow for excessive motion in the vertebral joints which causes instability in the spine.
What are the Symptoms?
Some of the symptoms of cervical or lumbar sprains (AKA spinal support ligament injury) include, but are not limited to:
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Shoulder, scapular and/or arm pain
- Visual disturbances (e.g. blurred vision)
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Concussion
- Neurologic symptoms (e.g. weakness, numbness, parasthesia)
- Difficulty sleeping due to pain
- Disturbed concentration and memory
- Lower back pain
- Pain going down the leg
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How Is The Injury Diagnosed?
Through patient examination and X-ray. To determine how severe the injury is, you'll need a specialized report like the Computerized Radiographic Mensuration Analysis (CRMA). The health of the ligament tissue is determined by the amount or lack of excessive motion in the spine. This is demonstrated by either high degrees of angulation or translation between two joints.
