Dislocation of Cervical Vertebrae

Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

A cervical spine dislocation is an injury to the cervical spine or neck that causes the vertebrae in the neck to move from their normal location and causes some problems to the patients. AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some patients and a physician about this problem.

Shir Muhammad, a resident of Paghman district, Kabul province says, “My cervical vertebrae are dislocated and I am suffering from shoulders and neck pain. “Sometimes, when I move up my head, I hear a cracking sound of my neck bones.”

Haseebullah, a resident of Kabul city says, “My mother is suffering from Proximity to the neck vertebrae. She complains from a severe headache, hands pain, and her one hands numb.”

Doctor Sayed Najeebullah Quraishi, an orthopedist at one of the private hospitals in Kabul city says, “Pain in neck, hands, shoulders, back, numb of foot/feet and crackling of legs bones are the main signs and symptoms of dislocation of the neck vertebrae. If these problems increase and not treated, the patient might face over-lasting headaches, and suffer from limbs paralyze.”

What do some people think about the causes of this disease?

Shir Muhammad says, “I have heard from others that very high or low pillow causes this disease.”

Abasin, a resident of Kabul city says, “I am a tailor and my head is always down. This manner increases pressure on my neck vertebrae.”

Khalid Wardak says, “One of my friends is a porter and he always carries heavy loads on his head. The doctor has told him that carrying heavy loads on the head causes problems in neck vertebrae.”

Doctor Quraishi says, “Many factors are involved in dislocation of neck vertebrae. Sitting on two legs for a long time; hard-working; pressure on neck; carrying heavy loads on the head; using very high or very low pillow; weightlifting without trainer; driving; tailoring and other occupations could be the causes of dislocation of neck vertebrae.”

How do some people treat this disease?

Khalid Wardak says, “When I was suffering from my neck pain, I was turning my head from left to right and vice versa but this action did not help me.”

Muhammad Wais says, “I had been applying a hot pack to my neck and sometimes I was applying Vaseline to it but these spells helped me little.”

The doctor says, “These incantations are useless because the affected person knows that he is suffering from dislocation of his/her neck vertebrae which could not be treated at home. Home treatment most often causes other problems. The patient has to go to the doctor for essential treatment because the ordinary problem would be cured by medication but if the problem is chronic, the patient might need to have a surgical operation.”