There can be different causes of spine injuries, which can include:

• Birth trauma: Sometimes the birthing process can cause spine fractures in babies, particularly in the neck area.
• Accidental injury: injury to the spine can occur after an automobile accident or when kids are just being kids — jumping on trampolines, falling, diving or colliding with another player during contact sports. Gunshot wounds, stab wounds or blunt force trauma can also injure the spine.

Spine injuries can vary from mild to severe based on the location of the injury and structures effected in the spine. If you suspect your child has a mild spine injury, call to schedule an evaluation. Symptoms of a mild spine injury, could include:

• Mild pain in the back
• Soreness in the back with bending, twisting or certain movements
• Inability to participate in daily activities or sports due to back pain

If you suspect your child has a severe spine injury, do not move them, and call 911. Symptoms of a severe spine injury could include:

• Pain in the spine
• Partial or complete loss of movement and feeling
• Loss of bowel and bladder function
• Breathing difficulty

Our specialists use a combination of history, physical exam and diagnostic test for diagnosis and cause of spine injuries. These tests include:

• X-Ray
• EOS - low dose x-ray machine used for imaging the spine
• CT Scan
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

There are many ways Children’s Wisconsin experts care for spine injuries in youth and adolescents including:

• Bracing
• Chiropractic care
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Orthopedic psychology
• Surgery

Expert pediatric care. The Children's Wisconsin AIM Spine Center provides outstanding and compassionate care for even the most complex spine disorders and spine trauma in infants, children and teens. Our interdisciplinary team of pediatric spine experts includes specialists from orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and psychology and physical and occupational therapy. From diagnosis through treatment, we’ll partner with your family to develop the best care plan for your child. We use noninvasive treatment options whenever possible. If your child needs spinal surgery, our highly skilled surgeons use the most advanced techniques and technology to deliver optimal results and shorter recovery times.