Poor posture, long hours spent at the desk and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to neck and back pain. In order to get rid of these pains, which have become a common problem for many people, negative results may occur with unconscious movements such as sudden cracking. Department of Brain and Nerve Surgery Dr. Lecturer Member Mahmut Sertdemir underlined that unconscious cracking is a harmful behavior that can lead to paralysis and even death in the future.
“PATIENTS REMAIN PARALYZED AND DIE AFTER A WHILE”
Explaining that the human neck consists of 7 vertebrae, Dr. Lecturer Member Mahmut Sertdemir said, “On the side of these vertebrae, there are arteries that feed the back of the brain and the brainstem, which we call vertebral arteries. Especially when we turn the neck, embolism (clot removal) occurs due to the rupture of this vertebral artery during cracking. In subsequent studies, it was seen that the patient died. When we turn the neck harshly, neck shifts occur due to rotational movement, and then serious pressure occurs on the spinal cord. After this pressure, intense spinal cord edema develops. “The arms and legs of the patients are paralyzed, and since the muscles are also affected, these patients usually die after a while,” he said.
“NECK SLIPPED AND FRACTURE MAY DEVELOP IN PATIENTS DUE TO SUDDEN MANEUVER”
Dr. underlines that in general, after neck pain, patients experience tension that starts in the back of the neck and spreads to the neck. Lecturer Member Mahmut Sertdemir said, “After these disorders, our people generally get massages to relieve this tension, or turn their neck with harsh maneuvers, which we call cracking. After stretching these muscles, patients experience temporary relief. But this is a dangerous situation. Contrary to popular belief, it is not such a simple situation. Studies have identified situations that can result in death. As experts, we do not recommend it. Two mechanisms in particular stand out. One of these is the rupture of the arteries. The most common injury is the rupture of the artery, which we call the artery, on both sides of the spine of the neck.
IT MAY RESULT IN DEATH
After this artery ruptures, a clot quickly passes to the brain and a stroke occurs. If a stroke occurs in the brainstem in these patients, it may result in death or paralysis. Again, damage to the carotid artery, which we call the jugular vein, may occur. Again, paralysis may develop due to this. Another is that neck slippage and neck fractures may occur in patients due to sudden maneuvers in the spine. In these patients, paralysis develops in the arms and legs after the neck slips, and then they cannot support adequate breathing. Lung capacity cannot function at full capacity. “These patients are taken to intensive care, and if they cannot be transferred after a while, patients may die due to cortical edema,” he said.
“IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY CONSULT AN EXPERT”
Touching on what patients with neck pain should do, Sertdemir said, “First of all, there are many reasons for this neck pain. One of the most common ones may be neck flattening, plus cervical disc herniations may cause neck pain. First of all, it is necessary to examine these, it is useful to have an MRI. It is important that they consult a specialist. In persistent neck pain, if no surgical pathology is detected or if the patient can be rehabilitated with physical therapy, he or she is referred to physical therapists. Again, they are directed to friends who are effective physiotherapists in their field. They make the necessary interventions for neck pain and relieve neck pain after the procedures. Therefore, we recommend that they first apply to friends who are qualified in this field,” he said.
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