Spine Injury and Fracture

​

A spinal cord injury — damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury.

A spinal fracture, also called a vertebral fracture is a fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column. Most types of spinal fracture confer a significant risk of spinal cord injury.

​

Causes

Spinal cord injuries may result from damage to the vertebrae, ligaments or disks of the spinal column or to the spinal cord itself.

• Motor vehicle accidents. 

• Sports and recreation injuries. 

​

Symptoms

• Numbness or paralysis may occur immediately or come on gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord.

• The time between injury and treatment can be critical in determining the extent and severity of complications and the possible extent of expected recovery.

•  If all feeling (sensory) and all ability to control movement (motor function) are lost below the spinal cord injury, then injury is called complete.

•  If patient has  some motor or sensory function below the affected area, then injury is called incomplete. There are varying degrees of incomplete injury

 

When to see a doctor

Anyone who experiences significant trauma to his or her head or neck needs immediate medical evaluation for the possibility of a spinal injury. In fact, it's safest to assume that trauma victims have a spinal injury until proved otherwise.  

If anyone suspects that someone has a back or neck injury:

 

Diagnosis

Clinical examination and radiological imaging as MRI and CT Scan

​

Treatment

Depending upon the injury and the condition of the patient treatment option is  surgery in cases of displaced fractures, spinal cord compression, burst fracture. Conservative treatment can  done in some cases depending upon imaging findings and patients clinical status.

 

 

 

​