Evaluation of patients applying for disability determination procedures in terms of spine injury

Abstract

Vertebral are not easily injured due to both the strength of the bone structure and the anatomical protection of the soft tissues. Traumas that cause damage to the vertebral column are often high-energy traumas such as traffic accidents. In our study, vertebral fractures seen in patients who applied for a report for disability determination; were aimed to evaluate the fracture site in terms of its sequelae and its provisions in the disability determination charts. In our study, the reports of the cases that were examined by us after applying for disability assessment in Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine between the years 2019-2021 were examined. Cases with vertebral injuries were included in the study and were examined in terms of age, gender, spine region, additional traumatic findings, sequelae, treatment method, how many points they got from which disability scale, and duration of incapacity. As a result of joint range of motion examinations, in cervical vertebral fractures, limitation of cervical extension movement, in thoracic vertebral fractures, limitation of thoracic flexion movement, in lumbar vertebral fractures, it was determined that the limitation of lumbar extension movement was observed mostly. In our study, vertebral injuries were seen in 17% of the patients who applied for disability detection procedures after a traffic accident. In addition, vertebral injuries are important injuries in terms of public health and health expenditures, as well as important causes of disability and incapacity to work. Vertebral injuries resulting from traffic accidents can cause significant limitations and adversely affect people's lives.