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.
Updated on: 06/11/14
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