The spine is a complex component of the skeletal system comprising numerous individual parts. It is particularly vulnerable if you get into a car crash because of the position you’re in and the force of the movement when you’ve been traveling at high speeds and suddenly come to a dead stop. If you’ve been in a car crash in California, watch out for any of the following symptoms because it may be a sign of severe spinal injury.
Most common types of spinal injuries after an accident
In car crashes, various types of vertebrae in the spine can be injured. The parts of the spine that are most commonly injured in a car crash include the:
- Spinal cord
- Cervical vertebrae
- Lumbar vertebrae
- Thoracic vertebrae
Injuries to the cervical vertebrae that people sustain in car accidents are commonly caused by seat belts. Although they protect from more significant injuries, and even death, your seat belt can still harm these parts of the spine found in the neck. The lumbar vertebrae are in the lower back and are commonly sprained in the impact of a collision.
Herniated discs and spinal stenosis
Car crash victims also commonly suffer from herniated discs, which is when the spine’s discs are displaced. If you have severe back pain or numbness that comes on suddenly, it might be a herniated disc. These generally happen in the lower back, but it has been known to happen as high up as the neck.
Spinal stenosis is a condition that often occurs after a car accident and involves a narrowing spinal column. Because of this narrowness, excess pressure can be put on the spinal cord and its nerves. Common symptoms of this condition include tingling, numbness and pain.