Facts and Tips about Spinal Fractures

• You can fracture any vertebrae in your spine, although fractures in the thoracolumbar region (where your mid-back and low back come together) are the most common.
  
• 5%-10% of spinal fractures are in the neck (cervical spine). (1)
  
• 64% of spinal fractures are in the thoracolumbar region (where the thoracic and lumbar spines come together).(1)
  
• Car accidents cause 45% of spinal fractures every year. (1)
  
• Serious falls cause 20% of spinal fractures every year. (1)
  
• Sports (think football and other high impact sports) cause 15% of spinal fractures every year. (1)
  
• Acts of violence (gunshots, knife wounds) cause 15% of spinal fractures every year. (1)
  
• Osteoporosis—a condition that weakens your bones—causes 700,000 spinal fractures every year in America.
  
• Spinal fractures can cause spinal cord injury. Except in certain circumstances (someone has been in a diving accident, and you need to get them out of the water), you should never try to move a person who possibly has a spinal cord injury. Wait for emergency personnel.

(1) http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-SpineFract.HTM