What is a traumatic back injury

A traumatic back injury can potentially cause damage to structures in the back, such as the bones of the spinal column, ligaments, spinal cord or spinal discs.

Symptoms of traumatic back injury

How is a traumatic back injury diagnosed and treated?



Traumatic back injuries are often caused by serious (high-energy) accidents, like road traffic accidents or falling from a height, but they can also happen without a specific injury if you have osteoporosis or other conditions that affect your spine.

## Symptoms of traumatic back injury

A traumatic back injury can cause symptoms that include back pain, bruising, and muscle weakness and numbness.

This type of injury is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical attention. Call an ambulance immediately if you have, or think you may have, a traumatic back injury.


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## How is a traumatic back injury diagnosed and treated?

You’ll usually need imaging scans to check if you’ve damaged the structures in your spine and how bad the damage is. This usually involves having an X-ray, but you may also be given a [CT](/health-library/medical-exams/ct-scan) or [MRI](/health-library/medical-exams/mri-scan) scan.

The exact treatment for a traumatic back injury tends to depend on how bad the injury is and the specific structures in your back that have been damaged. It may include:

- immediate life-saving treatment if you’ve had a serious accident
- painkillers
- braces to hold your spine still
- surgery
- bed rest

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References

Dr Lauretta Ihonor

Dr Ann Nainan

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A traumatic back injury happens when structures in your back, like your spine’s bones, cord and disc are damaged - often from a serious accident. Here’s how to tell if you have a traumatic back injury.