Traumatic Spinal Injuries and Fractures

If not treated properly, traumatic spinal fractures and injuries can result in permanent damage or disability.

Find the Right Care For You

At UPMC, our team of highly skilled surgeons has successfully treated many people with:

• Spinal cord injury and spinal trauma — Spinal cord injury happens when the spinal column is fractured or when the ligaments holding the spine together fall out of place. The spinal cord within the spinal canal may become bruised or crushed, damaging nerve pathways. This damage can cause loss of sensation and muscle control.
• Spinal compression fractures — Hairline breaks in vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine) can cause pain and lead to the bones collapsing into spinal compression fractures. Common in older people, they are most often due to a loss of bone density or bone cancer.