Spinal Fractures? What are the Next Steps for Treatment

What Are Spinal Fractures?

Spinal fractures are usually the result of a car accident, fall, sports injury or another type of trauma. Because a spinal fracture can cause damage to the spinal cord and lead to paralysis or other complications, it’s essential that if you suspect that you or someone else has this type of injury, paramedics are called.

In some cases, spinal fractures can result from osteoporosis or a tumor. In these cases, you might experience back or neck pain, tingling, numbness, difficulty walking and changes in bladder or bowel function, which would cause you to seek the services of a spine specialist.

Most spinal fractures are compression injuries. This means that the affected vertebra is pushed down and compressed. If enough force is present, pieces of the vertebra can end up in the spinal canal, which is the space that houses the spinal cord. The vertebra can also be dislocated, or pushed out of its alignment.

Fractures that affect the vertebrae in the neck are called cervical fractures, and those that affect the vertebrae in the lower back are called lumbar fractures. Fractures also occur in the midback or thoracic spine.

Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Fractures

In most cases, someone suspected of having a spinal injury from a trauma will be taken to the emergency room, preferably by ambulance. If you are with someone who may have a neck or back injury from a trauma, it is important not to try to drive them to the hospital yourself unless there is no other option.

Before moving the patient, paramedics will immobilize the person as much as possible to avoid further injury. If you are brought to the hospital by someone other than a team of paramedics, this will take place immediately upon your arrival.

Diagnostic tests to check for the presence and extent of any spinal fractures include x-ray, CT scan and MRI. Any or all of these will be done while you are in the emergency department. If a spinal fracture is found, a spine surgeon will likely be called in.

Treatments for spinal fractures include the following:

Braces: If you have a stable fracture, which means that the vertebrae are not out of place and are not in danger of slipping out of place, a brace may be enough to immobilize you enough so that the bone can heal. This is often used for cervical fractures.

Spinal Fusion Surgery: This procedure is done when the vertebrae are unstable. Two or more of the bones are joined (fused) together with bone grafts. Sometimes metal screws or plates are used to aid the process.

Vertebroplasty: If the fracture was caused by osteoporosis or a tumor and not a trauma, filling tiny gaps in the vertebrae with a special type of bone cement can help strengthen the spine. Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive spine surgery performed by a neurologist such as Dr. Kornel.

Depending on the treatment you have for your spinal fracture, your recuperation time may range from several weeks to six months or longer.

Spinal Fractures

Innovative Spinal Treatments to Get Back in the Game

What Are Spinal Fractures?

Diagnosing and Treating Spinal Fractures

Dr. Kornel and Dr. Sharma: Innovative Spine Surgeons