Most common type of injury to spinal cord is -
Flexion injury is the commonest spinal injury , e.g: 1.heavy blow across the shoulder by a heavy object 2.fall from height on heels / buttocks * results : in cervical spine fkexion force results in 1. A sprain of ligaments & muscles of the back of the neck . 2.compression fracture of veebral body c5- c7 .& 3. Dislocation of one veebra over another ( commonest c5 over c6 ). In dorso- lumbar spine , this force can result in the wedge compression of a veebra ( L1 commonest ,followed by L2 & T12).It is a stable injury if compression of the veebra is less than 50% of its posterior height. * flexion - rotation injury is associated with high incidence of neurological damage, as it leaves a highly unstable spine * extension injury is commonly seen in cervical spine .It results in a chip fracture of the anterior rim of a veebra. Sometimes these injury may be unstable. * compression injury is also common .it results in burst fracture in cervical spine. REF : essential ohopedics , Maheshwari, 9th edition ,pg.no.257
Flexion
Extension
Compression
Flexion - rotation
Spinal injuries