Top back surgeons have revealed common habits that could cause serious injuries or even prove fatal in some cases.
Orthopedic Specialists, a practice in Palm Harbor, Florida, interviewed several members of its staff and asked doctors things they would never do as orthopedic spine surgeons.
One advised against cracking your neck to relieve tension because it could lead to a stroke, while another warned against deep squats, which could irritate cartilage.
About 65 million Americans suffer from neck and back pain, and eight percent of adults experience persistent or chronic back pain. Therefore, they may be tempted to twist their neck or twist their back to solve problems.
But Dr Taylor Beatty reveals this is something he would never do, saying it could prove fatal if done forcefully or incorrectly.
“Well, if you break your neck, you have an artery that runs through there called the vertebral artery, which puts it at risk of being damaged (and this) can cause a stroke,” he explains to viewers in a TikTok.
The vertebral artery runs along the back of the neck and supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain and spine.
If it is damaged or broken, it could cause blood clots and lead to a stroke, which can be fatal.
A group of leading back surgeons have revealed common habits that could cause serious damage and even prove fatal in some cases.
In 2019, a 23-year-old paramedic suffered a stroke after she broke her neck and ruptured her main artery.
She was watching a movie in bed with a friend when she craned her neck and heard a loud “crack,” but she didn’t think much of it.
When Kunicki got up to go to the bathroom 15 minutes later, he collapsed to the floor, unable to move his left leg.
She was rushed to the hospital where she was told her vertebral artery had burst. This caused a blood clot to form in his brain and triggered a stroke.
In addition to breaking your back, the Cleveland Clinic says other things that could cause a tear to form in the same artery include blowing your nose too hard, sneezing, and practicing yoga in which you force your neck beyond your range of motion. normal movement.
Another thing Dr. Beatty warns against to reduce the risk of back injuries is submerging yourself in water.
Diving is one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries worldwide.
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Data Research Center, several thousand diving-related spinal cord injuries occur in the U.S. each year.
A 2021 study Diving-related spinal cord injuries were found to be associated with neurological deficits and “profound morbidity.”
Doctors confirmed that Natalie Kunicki’s vertebral artery, a major artery in her neck, had burst after she broke her neck, causing a blood clot to form in her brain and triggering a stroke. He is pictured above in the hospital in 2019.
Diving accidents are one of the leading causes of “devastating trauma” in the gyro.
If the water is too shallow and a person dives or falls headfirst, they could hit their head or neck on the bottom of a pool or ocean with great force or at the wrong angle.
The study states: “Shallow water injuries due to diving or falling into shallow water have catastrophic neurological (consequences) in the younger population, with enormous personal cost.”
Below, Dr. Scott Brotherton reveals that he would never squat at an angle greater than 90 degrees because this increases the risk of damaging the cartilage (a flexible tissue that protects bones and joints) behind the knees.
Deep squats put significant pressure on the knee joint, and the force can irritate the cartilage in the knees and worsen pain in people with pre-existing conditions.
He New York Sports Medicine Institute Notes Warming up before squatting can help prevent knee injuries.
To warm up, he recommends performing movements that ‘mobilize the joints and increase blood flow.’
“Stretching your legs before and after squatting can also help reduce the risk of injury,” he adds.
Aside from deep squats, Dr. Brotherton says he would never get on a motorcycle.
According to Florida-based Spivey Law Firm, 15 percent of motorcycle accident victims suffer neck and back injuries, including spinal cord injuries.
Some of the most common neck, back, and spine injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents include neck sprains, herniated discs (when the rubber cushion of the spinal cord breaks and irritates nearby nerves), and fractures of the spine. vertebrae.
Dr. Taylor Beatty reveals that he wouldn’t break his neck, something people often do to relieve tension or pain.
In a warning to parents, Dr. Chris James says he would never let his child ride a lawnmower.
When asked why, he says, “I’ve seen a lot of kids riding on grandpa’s lap thinking it was so innocent and the kid falls off and the lawnmower blades eat their legs.”
Supporting Dr. James’ claims, Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City reveals that each year, between 9,000 and 17,000 children in the U.S. are injured by lawn mowers and approximately 75 people die.
The doctor’s other no-no is not wearing a seat belt in the vehicle, as this significantly increases the risk of serious spinal injuries in a car accident.
‘Buckle up!’ advises viewers.
As for driving, Dr. Brandon Taylor says he has a Jeep without doors, but he would never drive with his foot hanging out.
Another thing the surgeon says he would never do is ride a bike and hold his dog’s leash, as a sudden jerk from the animal could cause him to lose control of the bike and cause injury to both the person and the dog.