What Parts of the Spine Are Most Vulnerable to Injury?

Spinal cord injuries can occur due to vehicle accidents, slip and fall accidents, workplace accidents, and other causes. Spinal injuries may include disc herniations, fractures, and other structural damage. When the spinal cord itself is injured, it can lead to partial or complete paralysis and other serious neurological disorders.

Any part of the spine can be injured when accidents occur. Generally, the neck and lower back regions of the spine are most at risk for serious injuries. It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after any accident, especially spinal cord injuries.

Our Delaware spinal cord injury lawyers can work with your doctors and our network of doctors to verify the diagnosis of your injuries, the treatments you’ll need (possibly for the rest of your life), the cost of your care, and all the ways your spinal cord injuries are affecting you physically, emotionally, and financially. We’ll fight to hold those responsible for your spinal cord injuries liable for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.

We can also file workers’ compensation claims seeking medical benefits, wage-loss benefits, and permanent impairment or disability benefits when applicable.

What are the parts of the spine?

According to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, your spinal cord consists of cells, nerve fibers, and blood vessels that help your brain and body communicate. The spinal cord extends from the “brain to the lower back through a canal in the center of the vertebrae.” The different locations of the spinal cord (and the vertebrae that hold the spinal cord in place) include the following:

• The cervical region. This region, identified by the C1 to C7 vertebrae, is in the neck. The cervical spine nerves “control signals to the back of the head, the neck and shoulders, the arms and hands, and the diaphragm.”
• The thoracic region. This region, identified by the T1 to T12 vertebrae, is in the upper middle of your back. The thoracic spinal nerves “control signals to the chest muscles, some muscles of the back, and many organ systems.”
• The lumbar region. This region, identified by the L1 to L5 vertebrae, is in the lower middle of your back. The lumbar spinal nerves “control signals to the lower parts of the abdomen and the back, the buttocks, some parts of the external genital organs, and parts of the legs.”
• Sacral spinal region. This region, identified by the S1 to S5 vertebrae, is in the back. The sacral spinal nerves “control signals to the thighs and lower parts of the legs, the feet, most of the external genital organs, and the area around the anus.”

What are the signs and symptoms of spinal cord injuries?

According to the NIH, vehicle accidents (such as car accidents), slip and fall accidents, and workplace accidents are some of the common causes of spinal cord injuries. Damage to the tissue and bones (vertebrae) can cause temporary or permanent changes in feeling, strength, movement, and body functions below the point of the injury.

Generally, an injury to the upper part of the spine is more severe because spinal cord injuries tend to affect the remaining part of the spine below the point of impact. A spinal cord injury (SCI) to the upper part of the spine can cause paralysis in most of the body and affect all limbs (tetraplegia or quadriplegia).

An SCI at the lower part of the spine may only affect a person’s lower body and legs (paraplegia).

Some of the symptoms of spinal cord injuries include:

• Paralysis
• Numbness, loss of sensation, or tingling
• Pain
• Weakness
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty walking
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in sexual function

What parts of the spine are most vulnerable to injuries?

Medical research shows that the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions are particularly vulnerable to injury because they experience significant movement and mechanical stress. The thoracic region tends to be more stable.

The cervical spine

According to Biology Insights, the cervical spine is vulnerable because it’s fairly delicate while also being involved in a fair amount of movement. The seven neck bones are smaller than the bones in the lower part of your spine. The smallness helps to maximize movement.

The most common cause of a cervical spine injury is rapid acceleration-deceleration forces, which are common in vehicle accidents, especially during whiplash (such as in rear-end collisions). The forces cause “the head and neck to snap forward and backward, straining ligaments and muscles and potentially damaging the intervertebral discs.” Rotational stress can impinge on nerves and cause a facet joint injury. In addition to possibly causing paralysis, cervical spine injuries at or above the C5 level can cause respiratory damage.

The lumbar spine

Another common area of spinal injury is the lumbar spine because it serves as one of the body’s primary weight-bearing structures. The lumbar vertebrae bear the weight of the upper body, including the ability of the body to lift, twist, and bend.

“The soft center of the disc can be pushed outward through a weakened outer layer, resulting in a disc bulge or herniation. This herniated material can press directly on nearby spinal nerves, a common cause of radiating pain known as sciatica.”

The thoracic spine

The thoracic spine is fairly stable due to its twelve pairs of ribs. “The rib cage and associated ligaments significantly limit the range of motion, shielding the mid-back from many mobility-related injuries common in the neck.”

Still, injuries to the thoracic spine can occur if the forces are strong enough. A vertical compression fracture of the thoracic spine (the bone collapses) is the most common type of thoracic spine injury.

How do doctors diagnose spinal injuries?

According to the NIH, some of the diagnostic tests for a spinal cord injury include:

• A physical examination
• An oral history
• An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test to look for brain and spinal trauma from injury, herniated discs, vascular (blood vessel) disorders, bleeding, inflammation, and ligament damage
• A CT (computerized tomography) scan to look for broken bones, bleeding, and spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• X-rays, which can quickly show fractures and the misalignment of vertebrae

What are the treatments for injury to the spine?

The treatments for spinal cord injuries vary depending on the type, location, and severity. Some of the possible challenges of an SCI include:

• The need for immediate immobilization
• Breathing difficulties
• Pneumonia
• Circulatory difficulties
• Muscle stiffness and muscle tone changes
• Autonomic dysreflexia (“a life-threatening reflex action that primarily affects those with injuries to the neck or upper back”)
• Pressure sores/ulcers
• Pain
• Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
• Sexual dysfunction
• Depression

Immediate treatment may include realigning the spine and surgery.

Long-term medical care often includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational therapy, communication therapy, and psychological counseling. Additional therapies, such as spinal cord stimulation, are continuing to evolve.

Get help from our Delaware spinal cord injury attorneys today

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, Attorneys at Law, we understand how life-changing spinal cord injuries can be. We have the experience and working relationships to show how accidents that cause spinal cord injuries happen, who is responsible, and the full range of medical care you may need (possibly for the rest of your life).

We seek to maximize your recovery and protect your future. Please call us or use our contact form to schedule a free consultation.