Blog

Auto & Vehicle Accidents

• Vehicle Malfunction Leads to Fatal Accident in Missouri; No Passengers were Wearing Seat Belts

View All

Missouri Car Crash Injuries: Spinal Fractures Part 1, Flexion Fractures

The human spine is strong and flexible. It is built to withstand the stresses of everyday life. But the high energy of a Missouri car accident is often more than the spine can handle. Spinal fractures are serious car accident injuries.

There are three basic types of spinal fractures:

1. Flexion fractures
2. Extension fractures
3. Rotational fractures

In this article, we will discuss flexion fractures.

Flexion Fractures
Our Buchanan County, MO auto accident lawyers often advise Missouri accident victims to go to the emergency room to be screened for potentially serious hidden injuries. Flexion vertebral fractures are one of these hidden injuries.

Flexion fractures occur when the body is thrown forward and back in a high speed Missouri car crash. They are very common in children that are using a lap-only seat belt.

At the time of the accident, there may be no symptoms. However, if a flexion vertebral fracture is not treated, the victim will start to notice pain that becomes severe over time. They may also have stooped posture and a loss of height. In some cases, there may be nerve injury.

Flexion fractures are divided into two categories:

1. Compression fractures: These fractures involve the front of the vertebra. The front breaks and loses height, while the back remains undamaged. These fractures are very common when accident victims wear a lap-only seatbelt.
2. Axial burst fractures: In these fractures, the vertebra breaks and loses height on both sides. These types of fractures are rare in Missouri car crashes; they usually occur when an accident victim falls from a height and lands on his feet.

Treatment of flexion fractures depends upon the amount of damage. Most Missouri car accident victims with flexion vertebral fractures can be treated without surgery. They will need to wear a back brace for six to twelve weeks. During this time, the victim will work with a physical therapist to gradually increase physical activity.

In some cases, surgery is necessary. A doctor will recommend surgery for the following situations:

1. There is significant comminution; the fracture involves a lot of bone fragments.
2. There is a severe loss of height.
3. The victim's posture is extremely crooked or stooped because of the injury.
4. There is significant nerve injury.

A surgical procedure called a laminectomy is used to remove bone that is pressing on the spinal cord. Doctors make small incisions on either side of the back in order to access the spinal cord. There is a risk of bleeding, infection, blood clots, nerve injury, or spinal fluid leak; however, laminectomy is considered a relatively safe procedure.

Most Missouri car crash victims are able to return to their regular activities after suffering a vertebral flexion fracture. However, it takes time. If you were injured in a Buchanan County car crash, you may be worried about medical bills and the extensive time off from work. Our Buchanan County, MO auto accident lawyers may be able to help you get compensation for your losses. Contact Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys at 888-348-2616.

Read more about Spinal Fractures in Part 2 of this series.

Just Ask

Free Consumer Guides

Testimonials

• I’m highly satisfied, I would call Victor again. I needed his help, and he has been a great attorney. I’m very comfortable recommending victor to other clients. Now that I’m happy with how much he’s helped me, I’m definitely recommending him to anyone that needed his help.
• Heather was very nice and polite and very informative. Heather was very responsive when I asked her questions and very informative. Yes, she was very aggressive with the insurance company. She was very aggressive trying to get a higher amount. Yes she was very nice. She is very informative and knows what she is doing.
• It was great to work with Heather, she kept me informed about everything, the dos and the don’ts and what everything was and kept me on track. she was very professional she told you what was going on, she kept you a breast of everything that was going on, she was an excellent lawyer. Ms Heather and the whole staff at the Accident Injury firm, I would recommend them to anybody across the world, that they are excellent, honest attorneys.

View All

Latest News

• Posted on 5/15/2012Paramedics Injured in Auto Accident Caused by Speeding Motorist Running a Red Light
• Posted on 5/15/2012Three Children Killed in Tragic Accident Caused by Blown Tire on Missouri Highway

View All

FAQs

Auto & Vehicle Accidents

• A car sped up when it should have slowed down and hit my car, causing me serious injuries. Clearly the driver hit the gas instead of the brake. Do I need a Kansas City auto accident attorney to help me recover damages?

View All

Web Resources

• Auto & Vehicle Accidents

more