Types of Back and Spinal Injuries

Back injuries sustained in auto accidents are taken seriously by health care professionals, often because even seemingly-minor back injuries can result in more serious complications as time progresses if they aren’t treated properly. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you should always seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible.

The spine may be divided into the lumbar vertebrae (lower back), thoracic vertebrae (upper back), and cervical vertebrae (neck), and the vertebrae in each section are surrounded by discs, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and tendons. As such, the pain caused by these injuries can range from mild to chronic and short-term to long-term or permanent.

• Lumbar spine injuries – The lower back includes five of the largest vertebrae and some of the strongest muscles which provide spinal stability. Sprains in the lumbar spine involve actual damage to ligaments, while strains typically involve stretching of ligaments, muscles, or tendons, and either may result in bruising, swelling, tenderness, or limited movement which can affect a patient’s quality of life.
• Thoracic spine injuries – Spinal injuries in the upper and upper-middle back are often serious, as this section connects the other sections as well as to the chest and ribs. Thoracic spine sprains and fractures are often caused by high-speed auto accidents and may result in permanent nerve damage in serious cases.
• Herniated discs – These discs are like cushions which protect the spine and separate the vertebrae, and a herniated disc is typically displaced and results in pressure on the spinal cord and/or surrounding nerves. Common symptoms include numbness in the legs and sudden, intense pain in the lower back.
• Spinal cord injuries – Generally speaking, injuries involving direct damage to the spinal cord are the most serious and range from pressure and bruising to permanent damage and long-term or permanent disabilities. Some result in lost feeling in parts of the body, lost reflex functions, or total paralysis, and some SCI victims may also be at risk for secondary complications, such as bleeding or blood clots, pneumonia, infections due to surgery, or even spinal fluid leaks.

Back injuries are typically diagnosed using MRIs, CT scans, bone scans, and X-rays, and treatment can vary greatly depending on the exact type of injury and its severity. Some short-term treatments may include pain medication, chiropractic care, physical therapy, or injections for inflammation, while more serious injuries with long-term implications may require surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves, which could involve removing parts of vertebrae or even fusing two vertebrae together after a ruptured disk has been removed.

If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.