First Aid Guides
Spinal Injury
Causes, signs and symptoms
A spinal injury interferes with the transmission of messages to and from the brain which can lead to paralysis in the legs or arms.
What can cause a spinal injury?
Things that can cause this include:
- Falling from height
- Injury to head or face
- A heavy object fell onto the back
Activities that could cause a spinal injury include:
- Falling while doing gymnastics
- Diving into a shallow pool
- Collapsed rugby scrum
- Falling awkwardly from a horse or motorbike
- Sudden breaking when in a car
What are the symptoms of a spinal injury?
Signs and symptoms of spinal injuries may include:
- Body lying in an awkward, unnatural position
- Skin feeling clammy and cool
- Pain in the neck or back
- Bruising on the skin by the spine
- Irregular twist to the spine
- Difficulty breathing
- Inability to move limb
- Lack of sensation or tingling in limb
- Loss of bladder control
