Final answer:
Hyperflexion of the cervical vertebrae is the likely injury from being struck from behind in a vehicle, as it corresponds with the motion experienced during such a collision. This type of injury can lead to spinal cord damage and potentially paralysis, depending on the severity and location of the injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the case of treating a driver of a motor vehicle which has been struck from behind, the injury that may result in a cord injury would likely be 4) Hyperflexion of the cervical vertebrae. This type of injury is often associated with rear-end collisions where the impact forces the head and neck into a rapid forward motion, potentially leading to overstretching and damaging the spinal cord in the cervical region. In contrast, rotational subluxation, fracture of the posterior vertebral elements, and lateral compression fractures are typically associated with different mechanisms of injury.
Spinal cord injuries are serious because they can disrupt the connection between the brain and body parts, leading to paralysis. The location and severity of the injury determine whether paralysis occurs and which parts of the body are affected. Despite ongoing research, including potential treatments like stem cell transplants and hypothermia, restoring function after a spinal cord injury remains a significant challenge due to the lack of nerve regeneration.