Need help right now?
If someone needs immediate help with spine fracture, use emergency mode.
Do this nowThis content is in Draft and has not been professionally reviewed. It is provided for preview while expert review is in progress.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After a fall or blow, the person has severe back pain and may have numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112. Do not move. Keep back straight. Watch legs for numbness.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Severe mid or lower back pain after fall or blow.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Numbness, tingling, or weakness in legs or groin.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Loss of bladder or bowel control after injury.
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A broken vertebra can damage the spinal cord running through it.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Older adults can fracture vertebrae from minor falls — still treat as serious.
Check the scene before you approach.
Do not sit them up, roll them alone, or bend the back.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Tell them not to move. Call 112 or 108.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Stop others from lifting them into a chair or car.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Keep flat. Hold head gently in neutral position if needed.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Ask them to wiggle toes and report any numbness.
When and how to get professional help.
Any suspected spine fracture needs emergency immobilization.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not attempt to transport on a regular chair or auto-rickshaw without spine protection.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112. Say: "Suspected spine fracture. Person must not be moved."
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — All vertebral fractures after trauma need emergency spine immobilization and imaging.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT sit them up or put them in a car seat.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT twist or bend the back to remove clothing.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Back pain alone after a fall is just muscle strain
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Vertebral fractures can present as back pain without obvious deformity. Numb legs or major trauma mean emergency.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Moving someone with an unstable spine fracture.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Fall from height
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person fell from a ladder, roof, balcony, tree, or building. They may have multiple injuries including head, spine, chest, and limbs.
Femur fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After a major fall or crash, the thigh is very painful, swollen, or bent wrong. The person cannot bear weight on the leg.
Neck fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — After diving, vehicle crash, fall, or sports impact, the person has neck pain or cannot move arms or legs normally.
Open fracture
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A broken bone has pierced the skin, or there is a deep wound with visible bone. Bleeding may be present.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Use blanket for warmth without shifting the back.