Question

A patient who jumped out of a second-floor window landing on their feet is diagnosed with a lumbar spine fracture. What is the most likely concurrent injury to have occurred?

Answer 1

The most likely concurrent injury to have occurred is an ankle sprain or fracture.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient jumps out of a second-floor window and lands on their feet, they can experience a high force on their legs. This force can cause a lumbar spine fracture. Given the mechanism of injury, the most likely concurrent injury to have occurred is an ankle sprain or fracture.

Landing on the feet with a high force can lead to inversion of the ankle, causing damage to the ligaments on the lateral side of the ankle. This can result in an ankle sprain. In severe cases, the force can also cause a fracture of the distal fibula.

Therefore, it is important for the patient to be evaluated for any ankle injuries in addition to the lumbar spine fracture.

Answer 2

The most likely concurrent injury in a patient with a lumbar spine fracture from jumping out of a window is to the lower extremities, including possible ankle ligament damage, ACL injury, or spinal cord injury leading to paralysis.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient who has jumped out of a second-floor window and landed on their feet, resulting in a lumbar spine fracture, is likely to have concurrent injuries elsewhere in the body, particularly in the lower extremities. The mechanism of injury suggests a high force impact on the legs, which could lead to injuries such as fractures to the talus bone or damage to the ligaments in the ankle, given that the ankle is the most frequently injured joint in the body. Furthermore, considering the significant force transmitted up the spine, there could be accompanying injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries due to hyperextension and twisting forces, or a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the lumbar spine fracture.