Slip and falls happen during the most unexpected of times. For example, you are on your way to work one day, everything seeming normal. You realize you’re a little early, so you choose to visit the local gas station to fill up your car and perhaps get a screaming hot cup of ‘on the go’ coffee. You pump your gas, pay for your coffee, and on your way back to your vehicle . . . it happens. Your body goes crashing to the ground! After your initial shock and pain subside you realize that you stepped in a puddle of oil in the parking lot. Trying to get up, you are slapped in the face with reality: you think something may be broken.

Back injuries can be a life-long debilitation. At this point everything hurts and you do not know what to do. Fracture of one or more bones of the spinal column (vertebrae) of the middle (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) back is a serious injury.

It is usually caused by high-energy trauma such as a car crash, fall, sports accident, or violent act (for example, a gunshot wound). People with osteoporosis, tumors, or other underlying conditions that weaken bone can get a spinal fracture with minimal trauma or normal activities of daily living.