Spinal injuries can be incredibly complex, but they can essentially be pared down to three categories: Herniated, ruptured or slipped discs; whiplash or connective tissue injuries, and compression fractures. It’s important to note that these injuries can all occur simultaneously:
- Herniated, ruptured or slipped discs: The discs are the spongy, cartilage shock absorbers between each vertebra. When the spine is subjected to force, these discs can rupture, tear or bulge out, shrinking the distance between vertebrae and causing the bone to rub against nerve roots. Depending on where the disc is located, this can cause nerve pain to shoot down the arms and legs, numbness and tingling in the extremities, and difficulty going to the bathroom.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Whiplash occurs when the neck and head are whipped from a stationary position forward and then back again in a split-second. The same thing can happen to the spine, but in that case, it’s referred to as a soft tissue injury. When this happens, the vertebrae, discs, ligaments, muscles and nerve roots can be damaged. Symptoms include sore muscles and tendons, lack of mobility, nerve pain that shoots down the arms or legs, headaches, and numbness and tingling.
- Compression fractures: In this case, the vertebra and other bony structures of the spine break due to excessive force. The back is literally broken. This can cause severe pain at the site of the break, in the hips and the lower back area. Since fractures affect the alignment of the spine, any of the symptoms mentioned above may also be present. If you’ve hurt your neck or back in the past and begin experiencing any of these symptoms, see your physician as soon as possible.
