Spinal Fracture-Dislocation

Symptoms

Severe neck or back pain follows trauma, often with visible or imaging-confirmed deformity. Weakness, numbness, paralysis, breathing difficulty, or bowel and bladder dysfunction may accompany spinal cord or nerve injury.

Diagnosis

Initial care protects the spine while the trauma team assesses neurologic function and other injuries. CT defines fractures and alignment; MRI may evaluate the cord, nerves, discs, ligaments, and compressive tissue when safe and appropriate.

Treatment options

Immobilization and medically appropriate reduction are part of emergency management, but definitive nonsurgical care is uncommon because these injuries are usually unstable. The full trauma picture guides timing and sequencing.

When surgery is considered

Most fracture-dislocations require urgent or staged surgery to restore alignment, decompress neural structures when needed, and stabilize the injured levels while accounting for other life-threatening injuries.

When to seek care promptly

Call emergency services and keep the spine immobilized — do not move a person with a suspected fracture-dislocation unless there is immediate danger.