Seat Belt Syndrome Can Include Lumbar Spine Injuries

Seat Belt Syndrome Can Include Lumbar Spine Injuries

Seat belt use is of the utmost importance every time someone rides in a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, "seat belt syndrome" can occur and is the phrase used to describe injuries which result from seat belt failure or improper use. This syndrome, while commonly associated with abdominal injuries, can also include injuries to the lumbar spine.

This syndrome was first discovered when lap belts were added to cars. The lap belt would restrain the passenger's abdomen from moving forward. However, the chest and head would be thrown forward when an accident occurred. This led to a rupture of the abdominal organs due to the difference in stress between the chest and the abdomen. People would suffer severe stomach and small bowel injuries, leading to rampant infection and blood loss. In severe cases, people would die from this syndrome, leading to a wrongful death situation. While abdominal injuries can still be seen, the addition of shoulder belts led to a dramatic reduction in these injuries, saving countless lives in the process. Unfortunately, these injuries can happen when seat belts do not function as intended.

A Case Report: Lumbar Spine Injuries in a Child

A team of medical professionals recently published a case report describing a six-year-old boy who developed spinal injuries in the lumbar section of his back (towards the bottom) resulting from seat belt syndrome. In this case, the child was involved in a serious auto accident. The two people in the front of the vehicle were killed on impact and he was one of three individuals in the rear of the car who survived. He suffered polytrauma in the accident and was taken to the hospital for further evaluation. He was complaining of severe back pain and, therefore, a series of x-rays were obtained, demonstrating several small fractures in the lumbar region of his back in addition to a bone fracture in his femur. The child was taken to surgery in order to repair the fracture in his leg. Although surgery was not required to repair the two fractures in the lumbar region of his spine, his back was immobilized while he was in the hospital to ensure that the fractures did not become dislocated. The child was eventually discharged when clinically stable with follow-up with the physical therapy team to ensure a proper recovery from his injury.

The Complications can be Severe

It is not unusual for people with multiple fractures in their back to suffer damage to their spinal cord as well. The vertebrae protect the spinal cord and, if the vertebral fractures are severe, bone fragments can damage the spinal cord, leading to significant motor and sensory loss. This has the potential to lead to chronic complications which could last the rest of their life. In this case, the child suffered spinal fractures because the force of the impact caused the child to "submarine" under the shoulder belt. This means that the shoulder belt did not restrain the child as intended. His spine was flexed forward by the momentum of the accident, unable to be restrained by the shoulder belt, leading to hyperflexion of the spine and fractures in his lumbar region. Furthermore, the traditional injuries from the abdominal rupture can lead to rampant infection in the abdominal cavity. This can place a patient in septic shock, which requires treatment with antibiotics and blood pressure medications. Severe cases can lead to death.