Back pain after fall or crash is not always muscle strain; spinal injury signs you should not miss

New Delhi: Back or neck pain can have various sources. It can be a car crash or even a bad landing in sport. People often think it is a muscle strain and then wait for the pain to abate. But sometimes the injury is more serious.

Spinal trauma may cause damage to the vertebrae, discs, ligaments or spinal cord. Sometimes the symptoms are not instantly apparent. The worst thing you could do is think it’s okay just because they can still walk or move their limbs.

In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that approximately 15.4 million people were living with spinal cord injury (SCI) globally. Major traumatic aetiologies include falls and road traffic injuries. Early medical attention can prevent further damage and improve outcomes.

WHO: What symptoms should never be ignored?

1. Severe neck or back pain after an accident

If you have been in a fall or crash, especially a high-impact injury, pain deserves your attention. If you have severe pain, tenderness along the spine, or a feeling of pressure in the neck or back, it may be a sign of a fracture or other structural damage.

Just because you don’t see swelling doesn’t mean there isn’t a serious injury. Some spinal fractures have no visible external signs.

2. Numbness, weakness or tingling

If someone has been in an accident, look for tingling, numbness or weakness in the arms, hands, legs or feet. These symptoms may point to nerve compression or spinal cord injury.

Gripping objects, lifting an arm, standing steadily, or moving a leg also need urgent evaluation. If you have weakness or loss of feeling that occurs suddenly after trauma, get emergency medical help right away.

3. Difficulty walking or keeping one’s balance

One may be able to stand first but have difficulty walking normally. New problems with balance, coordination or limb movement may indicate neurological damage.

If someone is hurt, don’t have them walk around to see if they are okay. If you suspect a spinal injury, do not attempt to move them. Call for emergency assistance.

4. Loss of bowel or bladder control

New difficulty passing urine, inability to empty the bladder, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the groin and buttocks may suggest significant compression of nerves at the lower end of the spinal canal.

These symptoms need urgent medical assessment. Delays can raise the risk of permanent neurological dysfunction.

5. Breathing problems or altered consciousness

Injuries to the neck area of the spinal cord can affect the muscles used to breathe. Difficulty breathing after a crash is an emergency.

If the person has also had a head injury or is confused, unconscious or unusually drowsy, get medical help immediately. Don’t assume that these symptoms are just the result of shock.

Can symptoms develop later?

Yes. Injury may cause pain, swelling and neurological symptoms. People who look fine initially may start having increasing pain, numbness or weakness later.

That doesn’t mean every ache after a fall is a spinal injury, though. But new or worsening symptoms after a serious accident should not be ignored. Older adults and people with osteoporosis may also fracture after a minor fall.

What to do immediately after a suspected spinal injury?

Do not move the injured person unless there is an immediate danger such as fire. Do not try to straighten their neck or back, or sit them up or transport them in a personal vehicle if a serious spinal injury is suspected. Call the emergency number and follow the instructions you are given. If the person is unconscious or not breathing normally, she will give you instructions.

Doctors in the hospital assess the injury and neurological function. Depending on the findings, they may recommend a CT scan or MRI to identify fractures, ligament damage or spinal cord compression.

After a fall or crash, any serious pain in the spine, new weakness or numbness, trouble walking, bowel or bladder changes, or breathing problems need to be treated quickly. Recognising these warning signs early can make a critical difference to recovery.

(By Dr Sree Chaitanya RS, Consultant Neuro & Spine Surgeon at HOSMAT Hospital)

Disclaimer: This article is written by the doctor mentioned above and is intended for informational purposes only. The findings should not be considered medical advice or used for self-diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.