Can your back be broken without you knowing?

Spinal fractures don’t always involve pain, so even after a traumatic event such as a car accident, you may not know that you have a fracture. That’s why it’s important to have a thorough examination by a doctor after a traumatic event. However, a spinal fracture may cause sudden, severe pain around the area of injury.

What happens if a broken back goes untreated?

If left untreated, spinal fractures can lead to permanent spinal cord injury, nerve damage and paralysis. Types of spinal fractures are: Compression fracture: A compression fracture is usually caused by osteoporosis, a tumor or other abnormalities in the spine.

What does a stress fracture in your back feel like?

Pain, swelling or aching at the site of fracture. Tenderness or “pinpoint pain” when touched on the bone. Pain that begins after starting an activity and then resolves with rest. Pain that’s present throughout the activity and does not go away after the activity has ended.

Can a back fracture heal on its own?

There’s a good chance you won’t need surgery. Most people can get by without it. Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.

How easy is it to break your back?

It is hard to quantify how much force it would take to break a human spine, Bydon said. But studies have shown, he added, that it would require a force greater than 3,000 newtons to fracture the cervical spine. That’s equal to the impact created by a 500-pound car crashing into a wall at 30 miles per hour.

Are spinal fractures serious?

Spinal fractures or a dislocation of one or more vertebrae in a spine caused by trauma is considered a serious orthopedic injury. The majority of these fractures occur as a result from a high velocity accident and can occur in the neck (cervical spine), mid back (thoracic spine) or low back (lumbar spine).

Do Broken bones hurt worse at night?

Bone pain is often described as a deep or penetrating pain. It often is worse at night and when you move the affected limb. Bone pain, tenderness, or achiness is a common problem, particularly among those who are middle-aged or older.