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Broken vertebra

A broken vertebra, one of the bones of the spine, may result from a serious accident, but also from osteoporosis after a small movement or fall. Some fractures are stable; others may threaten the spinal cord or nerves. Keep someone as still as possible after major trauma, and have new weakness, loss of sensation, breathing problems or loss of bladder or bowel control assessed immediately.

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  • A fracture may affect the cervical vertebrae in the neck, thoracic vertebrae in the upper or middle back, or lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. Effects range from a painful but stable collapse to instability that puts nerves or the spinal cord at risk.
  • A serious road accident, diving accident or fall from height may break a vertebra. With fragile bone, a minor fall, bending or lifting may be enough.
  • After high-energy trauma, keep the person as still as possible. Do not let them walk or try to straighten the neck or back.
  • Weakness, numbness, breathing problems, numbness around the buttocks or genitals, and new loss of urine or stool are warning signs.
  • Not every vertebral fracture needs surgery. Stability, alignment, pain, nerve function, bone quality and general health determine treatment.

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Further reading

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Spinal cord injuryA spinal cord injury damages the spinal cord, changing movement, sensation and automatic bodily functions below the level of injury. After an accident, avoid unnecessary movement of the neck and back and seek emergency care. Living with a spinal cord injury requires specialist rehabilitation and ongoing attention to breathing, skin, bladder, bowel, blood pressure, pain, sexuality and mental health.
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After an accidentAfter an accident, injuries may be visible immediately, but symptoms sometimes develop later. First check consciousness, breathing and severe bleeding, and have warning signs assessed promptly.
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Broken footA broken foot means one of the bones in the foot is cracked or broken. Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty putting weight on it are common, but you can still walk with some fractures. Protect the foot, never straighten a foot that is out of position yourself, and have a suspected fracture medically assessed.