Spinal Column Injuries

The biomechanics of the spine at a given stage of maturation relate to likely injury patterns (osseous, ligamentous, or both) and level, including the likelihood of associated neurological injury. The management of injuries in the developing spinal column is influenced greatly by its degree of maturation at the time of injury. Within different age groups, however, the mechanisms of injury vary. In young children (0 to 9 years) falls and accidents involving pedestrians versus motor vehicles predominate as the most common mechanisms of injury. In older children MVAs predominate as the most common mechanism, with sports-related injuries becoming the next most likely mechanism of injury.