Spinal Cord Injuries L1, L2, L3, L4, & L5 Vertebrae Explained. Symptoms, Recovery, Causes, Prognosis

Injuries to the lumbar spine are severe but not life-threatening. Early treatment is important to the prognosis.
The lumbar spine is located in the lower back below the cervical and thoracic sections of the spine. It consists of five vertebrae known as L1 - L5. These lumbar vertebrae (or lumbar bones) contain spinal cord tissue and nerves which control communication between the brain and the legs. Damage to the lumbar spinal cord subsequently affects the hips and groin area, and may impact the lower abdominal muscles and thigh flexion as well.
Lumbar spinal cord injuries (SCIs) may be complete or incomplete and may affect one or both sides of the body. As is the case with other spinal cord injuries, the completeness of the spinal cord damage will determine how severe the injury and symptoms will be for the patient.
Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine: Where Are the L1-L5 Vertebrae Located?
How many vertebrae are in the spine? Well, for the lumbar spinal column, there are five sections.
Lumbar vertebrae anatomy is generally classified by dividing the lumbar spine into five distinct sections. These sections are labelled as the L1-L5 vertebrae. These vertebrae are located near the base of the spine and naturally form a slight outward curve in the back, just below the inward curve of the thoracic spine. The lumbar vertebrae function to contain and protect the end of the spinal cord, as well as support the weight of the torso.
Here’s a quick explanation of how the lumbar spinal cord fits in with your lower back anatomy, as well as potential symptoms of injuries do different parts of the lumbar spine.
What is the L1 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L1 Injury?
The L1 vertebra is the topmost section of the lumbar spinal column. This section of the spine contains a portion of the spinal cord. Injuries to the L1 spine can affect hip flexion, cause paraplegia, loss of bowel/bladder control, and/or numbness in the legs.
What is the L2 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L2 Injury?
The L2 vertebra contains the end of the spinal cord proper—all other spinal vertebrae below this point only have spinal nerves, not the spinal cord. Injuries to the L2 vertebra can have effects similar to an L1 injury (reduced hip flexion, paraplegia, and numbness).
What is the L3 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L3 Injury?
This is the middle vertebra of the lumbar spine, and the first vertebra to not contain a section of the spinal cord. Common symptoms of an L3 lumbar spinal injury include weakness, numbness, and loss of flexibility in the legs, hips, and/or groin.
What is the L4 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L4 Injury?
The second to last section of the lumbar spinal column. While injuries to the L4 vertebra tend to be less severe than injuries to the spinal cord proper, symptoms include an inability to bend the feet in a particular direction.
What is the L5 Vertebra? What Are the Symptoms of an L5 Injury?
The L5 vertebra is the final section of the lumbar spine (at least, it is for most people). Injury to the L5 spinal nerve bundle can cause numbness and weakness in the legs, but the extent of these symptoms can vary from case to case.
Lumbar Injury Prognosis
Injuries to the lumbar spine are severe but not life-threatening. Early treatment is important to the prognosis of lumbar spinal cord damage. Patients with a lumbar spinal cord injury can be independent and care for their own mobility and hygienic needs. Many patients are able to maneuver around in their manual wheelchair and may even be able to walk for short distances. Weakness is the main issue with patients who experience lumbar nerve injuries, so physical therapy is a must in the recovery phase.
Common Lumbar Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms
Patients with lumbar spinal cord injuries may experience:
• Paraplegia with functional independence
• The need for a manual wheelchair for part-time or full-time use
• Ability to ambulate using braces or other walking devices
• Lack of control of bowels or bladder
Causes of Lumbar Spinal Cord Injuries
The most common causes spinal cord injuries at the lumbar level are:
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Trauma
• Falls
• Birth defect
• Degeneration
• Osteoporosis
L1-L5 SCI Injury Treatment
Current treatments available for spinal cord patients with lumbar injuries include:
• Drugs: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs are used in treating spinal cord injuries.
• Surgery: Surgical decompression of the nerves and fusion of the vertebrae are done to reduce pressure around the spinal nerves, and fixate the spinal column around the spinal cord injury. This can help to restore some function in a person’s lower back anatomy, especially by removing cysts.
• Therapy: Physical therapy is done to encourage strength in the areas that are affected by spinal cord damage, as well as maintain function in the non-affected area.

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