What is
Spinal Fracture
Spinal fractures can occur at any segment of the spinal column. The spinal column is made up of multiple vertebrae. Spinal fractures can involve the vertebral body or the posterior elements of the spine. The posterior elements form the back wall of the spinal canal and provide protection for the spinal cord. Spinal fractures can happen from something as dramatic as a fall or motor vehicle accident, or, in a patient with osteoporosis, from a simple movement like coughing or reaching overhead. Osteoporosis, or loss in bone quality, makes the vertebrae more vulnerable to vertebral compression fractures. The pain from an osteoporotic fracture is not always severe – sometimes it is mild. Many people mistake these spinal fractures for backaches, which they assume are just part of getting older. The primary symptom seen in compression fractures is moderate to severe back pain that is made worse by movement. When the spinal cord is involved, numbness, tingling, weakness, bowel/bladder dysfunction or even paralysis may occur.
What are the Symptoms of a Spinal Fracture?
If in a violent accident or fall, there can be acute and intense pain. If you are experiencing this, seek medical attention without trying to transport or mobilize yourself. Often there is pain with movement. If the injury was from a ground level fall, it is still possible to have a spinal fracture if the bone is weakened due to medical illness or osteoporosis.
Spinal fractures often refer to trauma to the bone or ligaments from the base of the skull to the tailbone or coccyx. In low energy trauma, often the fracture of a vertebral body results in a compression without significant neurologic injury and without injury to the spinal cord or nerves. Sometimes, since the pain is mild, it is possible to mistake a fracture for a back sprain.
It is important to evaluate if a fracture is suspected to ensure proper spinal alignment is maintained and the nature of the fracture does not pose a risk to the spinal cord or neural structures.
How do you Screen and Diagnose a Spinal Fracture?
The first step in the evaluation of spinal fractures is to get a detailed history about what caused the injury. The doctor will perform a physical examination. This may include checking for swelling, bruising, tenderness and other signs of injury to the head, abdomen and back as well as evaluating strength, motion and alignment of arms and legs. A neurologic examination may also be done. This may include tests of sensory (temperature, pain and pressure sensitivity), motor (muscle strength) and reflex functions of the nervous system. In addition, X-rays may be necessary to look for fractures or dislocations. Often computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be ordered to determine the extent of injury.
Compression fractures due to osteoporosis can often be managed medically or without bracing depending on the severity of the injury. In cases of sever and intractable pain, cement with or without inflation of a balloon to restore height is used. In the trauma centers, spinal fractures from high velocity injuries are managed based on an evaluation of the stability of the spine and the neural elements that are at risk. Often braces are used to help support the spine until there is healing of the fracture. If there is significant compression or instability, goals of surgical treatment are to provide early stability to maintain good early mobility. If there is bone within the spinal canal, it is removed directly or indirectly.
What are the Treatments for Spinal Fractures?
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