Lumbosacral Spine Acute Bony Injuries eMedicine Sports

Description: Spinal fractures are relatively uncommon in sports participation compared with other types of injuries; most injuries to the lumbar spine are relatively minor and fit into the category of soft-tissue injuries. These soft-tissue injuries are usually self-limited and resolve without coming to the attention of healthcare professionals. The mechanisms and severity of sports-related lumbar spinal injuries reflect a competitive and risk-taking culture.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Lumbar spine bony injuries are often limited to specific sports, most frequently seen in sports such as automobile or motorcycle racing, skydiving, power weight lifting, wrestling, gymnastics, football, horseback riding, and high-speed snow sports. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of acute lumbar vertebral fractures.
Synonyms and related keywords: lumbosacral spine acute bony injuries, lumbosacral fractures, sports-related spine fractures, spine fracture, broken back, lumbar spine injury, low back pain, LBP, back injuries, spine injuries, spinal injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, acute lumbar spine fracture, lumbar spine fracture, lumbosacral spine fracture, spinal cord injury
Federico C Vinas, MD 2008