15 Common Causes of Spiral Fracture

Spiral fractures are most commonly caused by sports injuries; however, there are other situations where spiral or torsion (twisting) fractures can occur.  Because of the nature of the injury, spiral fractures splinter the bone and the result is extremely sharp edges and points that will most likely need to be remedied through surgical intervention. Spiral fractures resemble a spiral staircase where the fracture travels around the bone. 

On-the-job incidents, motor vehicle accidents, falls in the home and physical violence can all be causes of spinal fractures. If a foot or hand is stationary or fixed in one position and an external force causes the shin or forearm to twist, a break in the bone will occur.  Prompt medical attention is the best course of action as these injuries are serious, painful and debilitating. Medical complications, including death, can occur if these injuries aren’t treated by a healthcare professional.

Here are the eight most common causes of spinal fractures that you should know about.

1. Machinery 

All spiral fractures have the same element in common.  That element is heavy force. Machinery at home, on the farm or in the workplace generates heavy force.  As a matter of fact, so many people have been injured by machinery that most industrial and farm equipment is now manufactured with warning labels and emergency shut-off buttons to minimize physical damage to the worker.  Training and safe work procedures are put in place to keep employees from being injured.

However, sometimes those procedures fail and people get hurt.  Fingers and hands get trapped in a machine and that may cause subsequent fractures to the bones of the forearm (radius and ulna).

In an industrial setting, there are fewer accidents to the feet and ankles but they still remain a possibility.  Please use caution when operating any type of machinery. Be alert! Workplace accidents happen when you aren’t paying attention to the powerful machines.