Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

Which scenario is most likely to cause a compression injury to the lumbar spine?

1. Landing on the back during a fall

2. Falling and landing on the side

3. Falling and landing on his or her feet

4. Excessive lifting of heavy objects

The correct answer is: Falling and landing on his or her feet

A compression injury to the lumbar spine occurs when forces are transmitted along the vertebral column, causing the vertebrae to lose height or even collapse. In scenarios where an individual falls and lands on their feet, the impact forces travel up through the legs and into the spine. This can lead to a significant amount of force being concentrated at the lumbar region, especially if the individual lands awkwardly or does not roll upon impact. In contrast, landing on the back during a fall typically spreads the force over a broader area of the body, reducing the likelihood of a concentrated compression injury to the spine. Similarly, falling and landing on the side can also dissipate impact forces laterally, lessening the potential for injury to the lumbar area specifically. Excessive lifting of heavy objects can lead to herniated discs or strains but is less associated with the specific type of compression injury that results from an impact-related mechanism, which landing on the feet would more likely produce.