A broken back is a debilitating personal injury that can affect a person’s daily life. Also known as a vertical compression fracture, a broken back occurs when one or more of the vertebrae in the spinal column become fractured or dislocated.
There are three different types of back injuries that could cause a back to become broken include:
Fractures A fracture occurs when there is more pressure put on the bone than it can take causing the vertebrae to shatter or collapse. If the trauma is serious enough it could send bone fragments into the spinal canal.
Dislocations This type of injury is the result of when ligaments or discs that connect the two vertebrae are stretched or torn causing the bones to come out of alignment
Fractured Dislocations A combination of the two, this type of injury can be devastating and could require surgery to repair the damage.
If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury at the hands of a negligent individual, the victim may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more.
Causes of a Broken Back
Trauma is a common cause of a broken back and according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) between 2010 and 2011 approximately 21% of all emergency room visits were for trauma.
Other common causes of a broken back include:
- Slip and Falls
- Motor Vehicle Accident
- Bicycling and Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Work Accidents
- Defective Products
According to the CIHI, the majority of emergency department trauma visits were due to unintentional falls, followed closely by motor vehicle collisions. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation more than 900 motor vehicle collision injuries in 2008-2009 involved fractures of the neck and trunk, and dislocations.
Back Injury Symptoms
When a broken back occurs, an individual will likely feel back pain which is sometimes simply a common condition. If the person has suffered any sort of trauma that could have led to serious injuries they should seek medical assistance right away in order to diagnose the problem.
Some common symptoms include:
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Pain
- Muscle Spasms
- Inability to Move
- Stooped Over Posture
- Difficulty Walking
Pain is likely to increase when a person is walking or attempting to perform simple movements like bending down or stretching.
Treatment Options
When a broken back occurs one of the first things a person should do is immobilize the back. They may also use ice and over-the-counter medication to relieve some of the pain if they cannot seek medical attention right away.
A doctor may perform a physical exam and take x-rays in order to diagnose the problem and figure out what the best treatment may be.
Common broken back treatments include:
- Bed Rest
- Pain Medication
- Back Brace
- Surgery
Surgery is a final option and may also be used to remove any bone fragments that could damage the spinal cord.
After treatment, a person may also undergo physical therapy for an extended period of time to strengthen the back and regain mobility.
Contact Our Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a back injury through someone else’s carelessness, our lawyers can provide comprehensive legal counsel to determine if you may be entitled to make a claim. For more than 30 years Greg Monforton and Partners has opened their doors to personal injury victims seeking justice.
We are committed to protecting the rights of injured accident victims throughout Windsor and Essex Counties including the following areas:
- Little River Acres
- Fontainebleau
- Forest Glade
- Remington Park
- Roseland
and the surrounding Ontario communities. To learn more about your legal rights, contact us at (866) 320-4770 or locally at (866) 320-4770 to receive a free initial consultation about your accident injuries with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.
If you prefer to reach us online, fill out the FREE CASE REVIEW form at the top right-hand corner of this page and one of our dedicated lawyers will review your claim right away.