Spinal Fractures

The 33 vertebrae that comprise the spinal column can be fractured or broken, just as any other bone in the body can fracture. However, spinal fractures differ from a typical broken arm or broken leg in that a spinal fracture can put pressure on nearby nerves or the spinal cord, resulting in pain, neurological problems, and even paralysis. Spinal fractures can affect people of any age, although young people are more likely to experience a fracture because of an accident or injury, while older people are more likely to experience an osteoporosis-related or cancer-related compression fracture. The Neuro Spinal Hospital offers expert diagnosis and treatment of all types of spinal fractures.

Causes

Spinal fractures can occur for many reasons, including:

  • Accident or trauma
  • Osteoporosis (weakened bones)
  • Cancer

The majority of spinal fractures are caused by an accident or trauma. Osteoporosis and cancer can cause compression spinal fractures which may occur in one or more vertebrae simultaneously.

Terminology

The vertebral body compression fracture, also called a compression fracture, occurs when downward pressure on the vertebrae causes one of the vertebral bodies to crumble or collapse. A violent injury may cause a burst fracture in which bony fragments from the vertebra are propelled into the spinal canal. When the ligaments and discs associated with the vertebrae become misaligned or are stretched or torn, it is called a dislocation. When dislocation and fracture occur together, it is termed a fracture-dislocation, which typically is very unstable and often requires surgical intervention.

Symptoms

In the case of a vehicular accident, fall, violent crime, or other accidental injury or trauma, spinal fracture should be suspected if there appears to be some degree of spinal injury, particularly if any of the following occur:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Numbness in back, limbs, or any part of the body
  • Muscle spasms
  • Tingling or pins-and-needles sensation in back, limbs, or any part of the body
  • Weakness in arms or legs
  • Inability to walk
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of bladder or bowel control

Most people who experience a spinal fracture caused by an accident or injury are under the age of 25. When a spinal fracture occurs in an older person, it is more likely to be related to osteoporosis, a tumour, or some other disease. Symptoms of this type of compression fracture include:

  • Sudden back pain, often very severe pain
  • Back pain that worsens when standing or walking
  • Back pain that worsens when bending or twisting; it may be impossible to bend or twist
  • Back pain with very moderate levels of activity, such as lifting a back of groceries or bending over to pick something up off the floor

Left untreated, compression fractures may result in:

  • Loss of height
  • Deformity of the spine, often a “hunchback”
  • Pain that worsens with activity but is relieved somewhat by lying down

Treatment

The first goal of spinal fracture treatment is to stabilize the break and control pain. After determining the type and extent of the fracture, the Neuro Spinal Hospital will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment. In the case of accident or injury, the treatment may be based on the extent of other injuries. Treatments include:

  • Bracing the injury to help immobilise the spine and facilitate healing
    ○ A cervical brace or neck collar for neck fractures
    ○ A cervical-thoracic collar for upper back fractures
    ○ A thoracolumbar-sacral orthosis (TLSO) for lower back fractures
  • Pain medications to manage pain levels
  • Surgery

The Neuro Spinal Hospital performs state-of-the-art surgical interventions when necessary in order to stabilize a spinal fracture. Such surgeries may rely on instrumentation (rods, pins, hooks, and so on) and bone graft material to fuse vertebrae and provide alignment and support.

In some instances, minimally invasive surgical procedures known as vertebroplasy or kyphoplasty may be performed, particularly if the fracture was caused by osteoporosis or a tumour. Both procedures inject a small amount of special surgical bone cement into the fracture. The difference between a vertebroplasty and a kyphoplasty involves the surgical technique and equipment used to inject the bone cement.

Prognosis

Spinal fractures are potentially serious medical conditions that may be life threatening and can sometimes lead to paralysis or debilitating symptoms. Many types of spinal fractures can be effectively treated using surgical and nonsurgical methods. The outcome depends in part on the extent of the injury and the damage done by the fracture.

Risk Factors

The majority of spinal fractures are caused by accident or trauma and occur in individuals under the age of 25; men are more likely to be affected than women. Risk factors for compression fracture include osteoporosis, cancer, and advancing age. Osteoporosis can result in such thinning of the bone that compression fractures occur with ordinary activities.

Conclusion

There are different types of spinal fractures but all of them involve the collapse of a vertebra and are associated with pain. Spinal fractures may be the result of an injury or accident or they may occur as compression fractures when the vertebrae are weakened due to osteoporosis or tumours. Spinal fractures are associated with sudden severe back pain. Spinal fractures can be treated with bracing or surgery, depending on the type and extent of the fracture. Neuro Spinal Hospital offers expert care for all types of spinal fractures.

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