The spinal column is made up of small, stacked bones called vertebrae separated by soft, shock-absorbing spinal discs. The spinal column protects the important bundle of nerves known as the spinal cord. When the spinal column experiences trauma, it can cause injuries to the vertebrae (bones), the discs between the bones, or to the spinal cord. The spinal cord can bruise (also known as a contusion) or to tear (a complete tear is known as a transection).

The location of the injury determines the impact on your child. Injuries that are higher up in the spinal column are typically more severe and can affect the use of the chest, arms and legs.

Our spine specialists at Children’s Wisconsin treat all types of spine injuries, including injuries to:

• Spinal Cord: An injury to the spinal cord, which may be considered incomplete (some sensation and function remains) or complete (causing a full loss of sensation and motor function below the point of injury)
• Discs:  An injury to the disc between spine bones that can cause pain or pressure onto the nerves of the spinal cord.
• Vertebrae (bones in the spine): Fractures, also called broken bones, can occur in the bones of the spine. These types of fractures can include burst, compression, stress or traumatic fractures. The type and location of the broken spine bone may determine if it impacts the spinal cord or other structures like discs in the spine.

Our specialists use a combination of history, physical exam and diagnostic test for diagnosis and cause of spine injuries. These tests include:

• X-Ray
• EOS - low dose x-ray machine used for imaging the spine
• CT Scan
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

There are many ways Children’s Wisconsin experts care for spine injuries in youth and adolescents including:

• Bracing
• Chiropractic care
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Orthopedic psychology
• Surgery