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.