Vertebral wedge fracture after speedboat 'splash down'.

ABSTRACT

A case is presented of a soldier with wedge fracture of T12 sustained after an axial compression (+/- flexion) injury in a Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RIB). Very powerful boats, such as RIBs, are used on a daily basis in the Royal Navy (RN). Despite this, fractures of the spine are unusual (1). This study explores the mechanism of injury and illustrates that a wedge fracture should be considered in anyone presenting with back pain after a 'splash down' injury.