6 Common Types of Spine Injuries

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An Overview of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury is the interruption of the flow of information from one part of the body to another, usually due to a traumatic event. Many different types and severities range from mild injuries that may only cause temporary pain and weakness to debilitating injuries that cause permanent damage or even paralysis. It goes without saying, if you were to suffer an accident to the spinal cord of any type, it is essential that you seek medical attention. In order to reduce the risk of further damage it would be wise to contact a medical company that organises medical house calls in order to have a professional look at you from your home. This will prevent you from exacerbating an injury to your spine by trying to travel to your nearest hospital.

Here are 6 Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries.

1. The Slipped or Dislocated Spine

A slipped, or dislocated spine is a spinal cord injury when the vertebrae in the back are moved out of place. When this happens, the spinal cord can become compressed between the vertebrae. This can cause either partial or complete paralysis of the arms and legs.

2. The Compression Fracture

A compression fracture occurs when the vertebral discs in the lower back are crushed by sudden, forceful trauma. The damage to the disc causes the spinal cord to be compressed. This causes partial or complete paralysis in the arms and legs. It also often causes pain that radiates along the affected nerves.

3. The Laceration to the Spine

A laceration to the spine occurs when tissue from the skin, muscle or bone is cut in such a way as to cause bleeding and damage. This commonly causes a severe spinal cord injury like partial paralysis of the arms and legs that may have caused backwards-bending of the knees, loss of bladder and bowel control, and weakness or numbness throughout the body.

4. The Burst or Displaced Disk

When a burst or displaced disk compresses a person’s spinal cord, it can cause serious injuries that can cause partial or complete paralysis of the arms and legs and numbness throughout the body. This is usually caused by a fracture that pushes against the spinal cord. It can also cause significant damage all along the nerves of the spine. Lawyers for spine injuries in Chicago are necessary to protect victims of these injuries.

5. The Avulsion Fracture

An avulsion fracture occurs when the spinal cord is pushed against a facet joint, causing a break in the vertebral column. The break may spread from one side of the vertebrae to another and cause partial or complete paralysis of the arm, hand and leg on that side of the body. This fracture is considered the most serious spinal cord injury because it often causes permanent paralysis.

6. The Burst or Displaced Lumbar Intervertebral Disc (LIVD)

In a burst or displaced lumbar intervertebral disc, the vertebrae and discs between them push against the spinal cord as they move into abnormal positions. The resulting pressure on the spine can cause partial or complete paralysis in either the upper or lower body. This is considered a severe spinal cord injury because it may also cause permanent damage to the nerves.

Conclusion

According to the above discussion, a thorough knowledge of the effects spinal cord injuries can cause can help prevent them from occurring. This is particularly true if you know the different types of spinal cord injuries and how they can be treated and managed.