In most cases this injury will not have been caused by a car accident however there is a significant proportion that is a direct result of motor vehicle collisions. Road traffic accidents are a major cause of traumatic injury and represent more than half of all cases handled by personal injury solicitors. If you have been injured in a car accident and you want to make a compensation claim for personal injury and loss just complete the contact form, email our offices or use the solicitor’s helpline. Our car accident compensation claim solicitors offer free advice without further obligation. If we deal with your claim it will be on a no win no fee basis, compensation is paid in full and you do not have to fund or finance your car accident compensation claim.
The thoracic spine is relatively protected by the thorax and injuries to the thoracic spine are less common than injures to the cervical spine. The injury can involve a fracture to the back with subluxation of the spinal canal and disc injury to the spinal area where there is a bulging disc that interferes with the functioning of the spinal cord. Thoracic disc injuries were initially described in the early 1800s and it was felt to be an uncommon site of injury due to the stabilizing effect of the rib cage.
Fractures of the thoracic spine can occur whenever the spinal column is subjected to great forces, such as in a fall, sports injury or motor vehicle accident. Penetrating injuries can also cause spinal cord damage. Thoracic spine injuries are only secondary to aortic injuries when it comes to thoracic traumatic injuries. Thoracic spinal injuries occur in 5-6 percent of motor vehicle accidents and compression fractures are the most common type of injury to the thoracic spine. The lower thorax is the most common thoracic injury. The most common injured patients are between 30 and 39 years of age and least common in those who are under the age of 18 years. Compression injuries of the thoracic spine are most common in elderly women with osteoporosis.
The thoracic spine injury is often associated with an aortic injury, which is nearly always fatal. A thoracic spinal cord injury alone is not usually fatal but leads to paraplegia of the lower extremities. There is a loss of bowel or bladder function (or both) and paralysis of the lower extremities.
Diagnosis of spinal cord injuries of the thoracic spine include a myelogram, which is an x-ray given after dye is inserted into the spinal space. CT scans or MRI scans of the spinal cord area can show subluxation, fractures and narrowing of the spinal canal in disc injuries. Doctors can do a thorough neurological examination to see at what level the spinal cord injury is located. All thoracic spinal cord injuries lead to bowel and bladder dysfunction as well as paralysis. Partial transection of the cord may lead to partial injuries of the lower extremities.
Thoracic injury due to osteoporosis is more common in white females and least common in blacks. Elderly women are more likely to have osteoporosis and spinal cord injury to the thoracic spine. A kyphosis degree of 15 degrees or more increases the degree of permanent spinal cord damage. There are two common age groups that are affected by thoracic injury. The first is young athletes which can damage their thoracic spine in ski jumpers and football players. Those who are climbers, motor cycle racers, or skydivers have a higher risk of spinal cord injuries to the thoracic spine. The second most common age group is women of older age who are at high risk for osteoporosis. The condition is rare in children.
Treatment of thoracic spinal injuries includes fusion of the spine in its proper alignment in order to stabilize the joints affected by the thoracic injury. If there has been transection of the cord, however, this does nothing to change the paralysis of the lower extremities or bowel and bladder dysfunction.
Non operative treatment can be done because the spinal cord is very stable in the thoracic spine and the bones can be allowed to heal without difficulty as long as there is not some serious dislocation of the bony fragments. Surgical fixation of kyphosis is done as long as the degree of kyphosis is at least thirty percent or more. A Harrington rod can be placed in the posterior of the spine that will straighten the spine over 5-7 segments. There is also a transpedicular screw that affixes two segments to one another. These can both reduce the fractures and fix them in their proper position. Doctors must remove bony fragments in the spinal canal so the healthy spinal cord does not get punctured by bone fragments.
Physical and occupational therapy are done to determine what it is the patient can do and to improve the abilities of the patient.
If you have suffered physically, mentally or financially, you should consider making an accident compensation claim. For free telephone advice from specialist personal injury solicitors just call the helpline. Our lawyers will assess the strength of your claim and will advise you on your potential award of compensation without any further obligation.