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Spine injuries are frequently diagnosed in people who’ve
been involved in an automobile accident. As a matter of fact, the auto
accidents are the leading cause for spinal injuries on the mid back, or
thoracic, and low back, or lumbar, regions of the spine.
In a study conducted between 1996 and 2011, the records of
4,572 individuals entered into the Crash Injury Research and Engineering
Network database were evaluated by doctors. The individuals had suffered from
moderate to severe auto accident injuries but they all shared one common
factor.
From 631 individuals whom had experienced injuries to the
thoracic and lumbar spine, approximately 47% of the individuals suffered major
injury while 53% suffered minor injury. The individual’s injuries were
identified according to their diagnosis. The injuries were diagnosed as
flexion-distraction injuries, identified as an upper body injury commonly
resulting when the head abruptly moves towards the knees during an automobile
accident, or extension injuries, resulting when the body bends backwards.
Those who suffered flexion-distraction injuries during an
auto accident were usually children or young adults while those who suffered
from extension injuries were usually older adults averaging 65 years of age and
were overweight. Through the research though, the doctors discovered that
several individuals who only suffered minor injuries to the thoracic and lumbar
spine had also sustained abdominal and pelvic injuries that were often much
worse than their spinal injuries.
The research also compared the injury outcomes of people who
were using a two-point belted seatbelt versus a three-point belted seatbelt
during the auto accident. In people using the three-point seat belts, these
protected them against neurological injury, fatality, and further complications
but those wearing this type of seat belt were more than three times more likely
to sustain spine fractures than those wearing the two-point seat belts. In
people using the two-point seat belts, flexion-distraction injuries were most
common. But ultimately, people who weren’t wearing a seat belt at the time of
the automobile accident had a higher risk of suffering spinal fractures in the
thoracic and lumbar regions as well as dislocations.
When it comes to auto accident safety, using seatbelts will
reduce injury severity of mortality but at the same time, they can also increase
the likelihood of spinal fractures in the thoracic and lumbar spine.
If you’ve been involved in an automobile accident, seeking proper
medical and chiropractic care as soon as possible is crucial for treating any
possible injuries. Immediate diagnosis and treatment can help speed up the
rehabilitation process.
Reference
Rao, R.D., et al. Occupant and crash characteristics in the thoracic and lumbar spine injuries resulting from motor vehicle collisions. Spine Journal 2014.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez +Dr. Alex Jimenez DC , Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic
