Common types of back and spine injuries include:nn* Sprains and strains: A back strain occurs when muscles or tendons attached to the spine or pulled, twisted or torn. A sprain happens when ligaments that connect bones together are stretched or ripped. Whiplash is a common neck injury following a car accident that can also cause back problems.n* Herniated discs: Also called “slipped” or “ruptured” discs, a herniated disc may occur due to a forceful blow to the spine. Serious disc injuries may require surgery to repair.n* Fractured vertebrae: Due to their proximity to vital motor and sensory structures, spinal fractures are serious business. Chipped fragments could cause damage that compresses or even tears the spinal cord.n* Dislocations: Ligaments that get dislodged from the bones can cause the spine to slip out of alignment. This can happen from unexpected trauma to the spine, such as from the snap of a seat belt during a crash. Dislocations often occur alongside vertebral fractures.n* Spinal cord injury: The most catastrophic of all back injuries, spinal cord damage can result in partial or permanent disability, paralysis, quadriplegia and paraplegia.