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Home » Consumer Information » Back Injuries

Types of Back Injuries

There are numerous kinds of back injury that differ in terms of severity, pain, duration, and overall effects. Back injuries occurring with the most frequency include strains, sprains, herniated discs, and fractures. A lower back injury can result from any of the following conditions.

Sprains and strains

A back sprain consists of damage to the muscles or tendons, and a strain is when ligaments are stretched or torn. Tendons are the tough, wiry, bands of tissue that fasten the muscle to the bone. Ligaments are similar in texture, and they connect at least two bones to a joint. Symptoms of back sprains and strains that occur with the most frequency include:

  • Pain (often intensifies with motion).
  • Unrelenting muscle cramps and spasms.
  • Range of mobility reduction (e.g., bending over, standing erect, walking)

Back injuries of this sort are often diagnosed based on a physician's analysis of a patient's physical exam and medical background. Sometimes, the doctor may recommend an x-ray be used to determine the presence of a fractured or herniated disc.

Treatment of back sprains and strains is a two-step procedure. In the initial 24-48 hours following the injury, the patient is normally instructed to lay low, ice the injured region, and apply pressure. Anti-swelling medication may also be suggested to manage pain keep swelling in check. After two days, patients are often told to continue with all regular non-strenuous activity. With the correct treatment, this level of back injury will generally subside within a month's time.

If you or someone you know is confronted with any one of these symptoms, medical attention should be sought without delay:

  • Capacity to walk only a few steps before excruciating pain prohibits further movement
  • Lack of feeling or tingling beneath the point of injury or from the waist down
  • Lump or abnormal bulge in the area of the injury
  • Medical history characteristic of many lower back injuries
  • Pain that interrupts sleep

Spinal column fracture

At the center of the back is the spinal column, which is a vertical arrangement of vertebrae responsible for protecting the spinal cord and serving as the pillar of support for the upper body. Extreme trauma caused by impact from a car accident or hard fall can fracture the vertebrae located in the thoracic (middle) or lumbar (lower) regions of the back. In instances of severe fractures, the spinal cord can suffer harm. Frequently, this can paralyze any part of the body receiving commands from the damaged section of the spinal cord.

The following symptoms mean you may have a fractured vertebra:

  • Mild to severe back pain that increases with movement
  • Numbness, prickling, weakness, and/or lack of bladder or bowel control are possible signs of spinal cord damage.

There are five possibilities by which vertebrae can fracture, and doctors can diagnose the type of injury based on the style of fracture. These include:

  • Flexion/distraction (chance) fracture - vertebrae are separated from each other. This can be the result of a head-on car crash in which the torso is viciously jolted forward, and the midsection and lower extremities are held in place by the lap belt.
  • Compression fracture - front of the vertebra breaks and is shortened, while the rear remains intact. This sort of injury is rather minor and does not feature neurological complications.
  • Axial burst fracture - Vertebra breaks and front and rear is reduced in height. This is often the result of a fall where the victim lands on or stops the fall with their feet.
  • Fracture-dislocation - a single vertebra might shift out of place. This causes instability that impacts bones and/or the adjacent soft tissues.
  • Transverse process fracture - caused by rotating or violent twisting movements through the course of trauma.