Most Common Causes of Spinal Injuries – Spine Surgeon Paul Brisson MD

1. Most Common Causes of Spinal Injuries – Spine Surgeon Paul Brisson MD A spinal cord injury happens whenever there is some type of damage to the discs, vertebrae, ligaments, or spinal cord that make up the spine. The injury could be sudden and traumatic, showing immediate injury. In some cases, the spinal injuries could present days or weeks after the initial injury. If the damage to the spine is non-traumatic, it could take much longer to develop. Damage to the spine can cause a number of different symptoms. Many will feel pain, while others might feel numbness. Depending on the severity of the injury, it could also cause loss of sensation and use of the upper, lower, or all limbs. The damage that occurs during the injury, regardless of whether it is traumatic or non-traumatic, causes problems with the nerve fibers that are passing through the area of injury. Types of Traumatic Injury Traumatic injury is unfortunately common when it comes to spinal injury. The types of traumatic injury can vary greatly. Automobile accidents are one of the most common causes of spinal injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, this accounts for about 35% of the injuries that occur each year. Falls are another problem. While it is possible for some younger people to suffer spinal injuries during a fall, it tends to be the elderly population that is at the highest risk from falls. Again, the Mayo

2. Clinic says that this accounts for about 25% of the spinal injuries in the country each year. Violent acts cause a surprising number of spinal injuries every year as well – nearly 15%. These types of injuries could stem from a number of different types of violent acts including gunshots, knife wounds, and beatings. While most do not see sports as being overly dangerous, they can cause spinal injuries. Contact sports, such as football, are a major cause of spinal injuries, but they can occur in other sports as well. Twisting, turning, lifting, and other actions are common in sports, and they can cause injury as well. Types of Non-Traumatic Injury Traumatic injuries are certainly not the only cause of spinal injuries though. Arthritis, scoliosis, cancer, and osteoporosis can cause issues with the back as well. Degenerative disc disease, which often occurs as people age, is another common cause for back problems. These can be just as problematic as the traumatic injuries. In some cases, they can be worse, since you may not initially realize there is even a problem. What Should You Do? When you have a problem with your back, no matter how minor you might think it is right now, it is a good idea to get in touch with a doctor such as Dr. Paul Brisson. You do not want back injuries to get worse, and it’s often easier to get a handle on them when you have a medical professional diagnosing and treating the problem. If you simply ignore the back injuries, they tend to get worse. Get advice from the Paul Brisson MD and www.NYSpineCare.com and do whatever it takes to improve your chance of a full recovery. Resource: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinal- cord-injury/basics/causes/con-20023837 http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/spinal-cord-injuries/index.html