Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Severe neck or back pain after injury
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Inability to move part of the body
- Bowel or bladder changes (urgent)
- Visible deformity or bruising
Spinal
Trauma .
Spinal trauma refers to injuries of the spinal column or spinal nerves caused by accidents, falls, or sports injuries. These injuries can affect spinal stability and neurological function, leading to pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis depending on the severity.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Whole spine spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
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Spinal Trauma at a glance
- What it is: Spinal trauma refers to injuries of the spinal column or spinal nerves caused by accidents, falls, or sports injuries. These injuries can affect spinal stability and neurological function, leading to pain, numbness, weakness, or paralysis depending on the severity.
- Common symptoms: Severe neck or back pain after injury; Numbness, tingling, or weakness; Inability to move part of the body.
- First-line treatment: Acute stabilization — Bracing, immobilization, and imaging to characterize the injury.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding spinal trauma
Causes
Common causes
- Motor-vehicle accidents
- Falls (especially in older adults with osteoporosis)
- Sports injuries
- Workplace injuries
- Penetrating trauma
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Acute stabilization — Bracing, immobilization, and imaging to characterize the injury.
- Non-operative care — Many stable fractures heal with bracing and structured activity modification.
- Surgical stabilization — Unstable injuries or those with neurological compromise are treated with decompression and fixation.
- Rehabilitation — Structured therapy supports recovery of strength, mobility, and function.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
Common questions
About spinal trauma.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Ready when you are
Get clarity on your spinal trauma today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.