The vertebral column (back-bone or spinal column) is an elongated system of bones that runs along our backs and its main purpose is to support and protect the spinal cord. The column of bones runs from the base of the skull to the lower back and consists of individual articulating bones called vertebrae. There are 24 vertebrae and they’re separated from each other by disks that prevent the bones from rubbing against each other while ensuring that there is smooth movement. They are also important reference points for describing and locating other parts of the body such as internal organs.

What Causes Vertebral Fracture?

The backbone being the center of mobility control in humans, anything that affects it can affect a person’s ability to move. Fracture or breaking of the bones of the spinal column is called vertebral fractures. They are caused by:

• Conditions like osteoporosis
• Severe trauma as in accidents or falls
• Cancer
• Bone infection
• Other types of bone pathology

One of the commonly seen examples of vertebral fracture is after a severe motor vehicle accident, when the victim suffers severe impact injury. In general, the vertebral column is a tough and durable set of bones and unless there was some underlying pathology, it does not easily fracture. However, the severe impact from blunt trauma, sports injuries, gunshots, sports accidents etc can certainly cause fractures. Such strong forces can also have additional impact like severe bleeding, lesions, organ injury etc.

Types of Vertebral Fracture

There are three ways in which vertebral fractures take place:

• Flexion
• Rotation
• Extension

These represent different ways in which the vertebral column moves out of its accustomed location. Additionally, the individual vertebrae may move out of their places, lose height, the ligaments supporting them may get damaged, or they may get pulled apart. The spinal column is a perfectly aligned engineering marvel that allows us to stay upright and gives us mobility and any displacement of even one of the 24 bones can result in dysfunction.

Symptoms of Vertebral Fracture

Based on the exact location of the fracture there may be subtle differences in the type of symptoms experienced. However, in general, symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the back
• Severe pain in thighs, hips, abdomen
• Numbness, loss of sensation
• Tingling, weakness
• Incontinence – loss of control over urination and bowel movements. This usually signals that there is pressure on the spinal cord.
• Pain while lying down is worse while standing
• High fever
• Neurogenic shock
• Neural deficits (inability to move certain parts, limbs etc)
• Spinal shock

Diagnosis

Following a traumatic or catastrophic motor vehicle accident, most victims are thoroughly examined routinely for spinal injuries. Emergency services are cautioned about moving victims carefully and extricating them properly from the debris of a collision. Otherwise, vertebral fractures are diagnosed based on:

• Symptoms observed by physician
• Symptoms reported by patient
• Physical examination
• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• Spine specialist consultation

Treatment

All types of treatment for fractured vertebrae are uncomfortable, expensive, time-consuming and take a great toll on the emotional well-being of not just the patient but also of the entire social system around them.

Emergency treatment includes surgery, implantation of plates or pins to aid positioning while healing and removal of severely damaged vertebrae

Hospital admission for prolonged period

Wearing of back brace or vest for prolonged period

Pain relief medications, ice packs, heat compresses

After the healing process has been completed

• Exercise program under supervision of physiotherapist
• Follow-up consultations
• Prevention and precaution 

How We Can Assist

If you or a loved one suffers a vertebral fracture as a result of a motor vehicle accident or slip and fall injury, it’s important that you get competent legal representation as soon as the medical emergency has been taken care of. Our catastrophic injury lawyers can ensure that your rights are amply protected. Since compensation is paid out of the defendant’s insurance coverage, the insurers would definitely contest your claims and try to prove that there were pre-existing conditions that led to vertebral fracture. However, our personal injury lawyers can represent you in all negotiations and collect the required evidence to back your claims.

Victims should ensure that they preserve all medical bills, records, pharmacy bills and any other bills that are relevant to costs incurred as a result of the accident. Our car accident lawyers can collate all the required documentary/photographic evidence and get witness depositions to ensure that you get the maximum possible compensation.

If you, your family or a friend has been injured in an accident, please feel free to speak to one of our injury lawyers for a free consultation about how we are able to assist in making a personal injury claim. We consult in all cities across Ontario with a no win no fee guarantee. Our personal injury lawyers have helped victims secure millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Call us Toll Free On our 24/7 Injury Hotline: 1 – 844 495 7333.