Spinal injuries can vary from muscle strains, to wedge/compression fractures to serious spinal cord injuries.
What is a spinal fracture?
The spine is made up of multiple bones, nerves, muscles and tendons. A compression fracture occurs when part of the bone is crushed. The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture which is when the front of the verterbra collapses resulting in a wedge shape.
A wedge fracture can be as a result of force to the spine, such as a car accident or a fall or can be due to weakening of the bones due to osteoporosis.
How is a compression fracture treated?
The fracture will be treated differently depending on the location and seriousness of the fracture, along with the age and history of the patient.
Some fractures are treated conservatively with a back brace to hold the back in place while the fracture heals.
More serious fractures require urgent surgery to avoid damage to the spinal cord.
Delays in diagnosing a wedge/compression fracture
Delays in diagnosing and treating a compression fracture can lead to serious neurological symptoms and can lead to permanent disability. If left untreated, the verterbra can collapse further causing pressure on the spinal cord.
When the spinal cord is compressed the following symptoms may present:
- Unsteady gait;
- Incontinence
- Inability to walk unaided
- Tingling sensation in the legs
- In serious cases, total loss of sensation of the legs can occur.
If spinal cord compression occurs an urgent operation is required to correct the fracture and release the pressure on the spinal cord.
Spinal fracture compensation claims – how we can help
Emily Rose is a Senior Associate in our experienced and specialist Medical Negligence team, who advises on all types of medical negligence claims and inquests.
If you have suffered from a delay in a spinal fracture, we can claim for any unnecessary symptoms you have suffered along with compensation for any long term consequences you may have suffered.
The first step is to discuss your case with our team who can provide advice and support. Please contact us on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.