Spinal Fractures
UNDERSTANDING THE SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND TREATMENTS
Understanding Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures or a dislocation of one or more vertebrae in a spine caused by trauma is considered a serious orthopedic injury. The majority of these fractures occur as a result from a high velocity accident and can occur in the neck (cervical spine), mid back (thoracic spine) or low back (lumbar spine). High velocity accidents are associated with trauma from motor vehicle accidents, a fall from height, or sporting accidents. Other reasons why dislocation can occur could also be related to soft bones. If a person has a history of soft bones called osteoporosis, then that individual could be more vulnerable to trauma. Also, there are instances where people can develop a fracture without having any injury or trauma. Then those individuals need to be evaluated for possible cancer.
Fractures of the neck usually occur as a result of high energy trauma and are uncommon in other situations. Any fracture of the cervical spine has serious consequences because of its location in relation to the spinal cord. A cervical fracture can cause bone fragments to pinch and damage the spinal cord or surrounding nerves which branch off of the spinal cord. Damage or injury to the spinal cord can result in paralysis or death. This is why all fractures should be evaluated to understand the stability of the spine and prevent any further nerve damage. All patients with trauma who develop cervical fractures should be evaluated. Patients with high energy trauma or those who lose consciousness also require urgent emergency evaluation and treatment.
Depending on how severe your injury is, you may experience pain, difficulty walking, or be unable to move your arms or legs (paralysis). The most common symptom of a spinal fracture is moderate to severe pain that is increased with movement. Treatment depends on the type of fracture and the degree of instability. Many fractures heal with conservative treatment; however severe fractures may require surgery to realign the bones.
Symptoms
Most vertebral fractures, regardless of where they are located, are associated with mild to severe pain (depending on the location of the spinal fracture) which worsens with any type of movement. In more severe cases, the fracture may cause nerve symptoms including numbness, tingling, muscle spasms, weakness, bowel/bladder problems or even paralysis. Sometimes the symptoms can present as intermittent or temporary. It is important to see medical evaluation if any symptoms persist.
When to Seek Treatment
If you’re noticing symptoms associated with Spinal Fractures and suspect a spinal issue, it’s crucial to consider consulting a board-certified spinal specialist. Reach out promptly to a certified spine surgeon for an accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. Early intervention can significantly improve your overall well-being and provide a broader range of treatment options, which may decrease as symptoms persist. The key to a successful and speedy recovery lies in addressing the root of the pain with your spine specialist as soon as symptoms arise.
While many people experience day-to-day back or neck pain, dismissing it as soreness, this may not be the case for everyone. If your pain persists for more than 10 days, it should be taken more seriously. Evaluate such prolonged pain with a spine surgeon to identify the root issue and determine the appropriate treatment. Additionally, be attentive to other signs related to back or neck pain that should not be ignored, including pain accompanied by fever, pain associated with loss of bladder control, and weakness/tingling/numbness in your arms or legs.
It’s important to note that these are general guidelines based on our expertise in spine care over the past three decades, recognizing that each patient’s symptoms may be unique.
Common Causes & Types of Spinal Fractures
Spinal dislocation may occur due to a variety of factors. The most common cause is related to trauma such as high velocity car accidents, fall from height, or high impact sports. Other causes may include pathologic fractures related to osteoporosis or cancer.
There are several types of spinal fractures based on the pattern of injury and the extent of spinal cord injury. Below are the more common fractures:
Compression Fracture
People can develop spinal fractures unrelated to trauma. Fractures that occur during daily activities are most commonly due to weakened bones from osteoporosis, tumors, or other medical conditions and rarely have spinal cord or nerve involvement. The front of the vertebrae fractures and loses height however the back, posterior, the part remains stable. The shape of the vertebrae is usually described as a “wedge”. Think of it as a soda can that gets compressed but it’s still intact. It can be painful or asymptomatic and is usually a stable fracture. These fractures can possibly heal over time without much treatment needed.
Axial Burst Fracture
This is more advanced than a compression fracture. This is usually caused by a fall from a significant height, landing on the feet or your bottom. The vertebra loses height on both the front and back sides, causing a decrease in the overall height of the vertebrae. There may be fragments of the vertebrae that separate and may injure the spinal cord or nerves branching off the spinal cord. The bone typically becomes more unstable. Imagine an oreo cookie being smashed at the top, causing it to break into many different fragments. Depending on the stability of the fracture which is identified via imaging (x-ray, CT, and MRI), this may require surgery.
Chance Fracture
This fracture is known as a “seat-belt injury” and is caused by a violent forward flexed injury. The vertebra is pulled apart, often from a car accident where the upper body is pulled forward while the pelvis is stabilized by a lap-only seat belt. They usually occur in the lower mid-back region. Most of the time these fractures require surgery due to significant pain and need to be stabilized.
Risk Factors
There are several risk factors that could make it more likely for you to develop the condition. Some of the most common examples include:
- If you are involved in an injury that involves a high velocity mechanism- in a motor vehicle, slip or fall, not being restrained or wearing proper safety gear.
- Having osteoporosis means the bones are weak and a strong impact could cause injury to the bones.
- Also, having an uncommon condition called ankylosing spondylitis, can also put patients at risk for dislocation. This is an inflammatory condition that causes the spine to become stiff and brittle so a low impact injury can cause spinal fracture.
Diagnosing Spinal Fractures
Vertebral fractures are diagnosed by an x-ray in the respective location of the spine – neck, mid back or low back. Following the x-ray your spinal specialist will generally order a CT scan which is an effective way to visualize any changes in the bony structure. A MRI may also be ordered to evaluate the surrounding soft tissues, ligaments, intervertebral discs, or to identify any spinal cord injury.
Treatment Options
Treatment will depend on the location and type of fracture as well as other the amount of neurologic compression. Minor fractures can be treated with cervical bracing. More complex fractures or fractures with spinal cord compression may require traction, surgery, or some combination of the above. For patients with neurologic compromise or unstable fractures, surgical intervention may be appropriate in order to stabilize the fracture, remove any nerve compression and assist with healing. For most patients, non-surgical treatment is appropriate. Rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment plan once the injury has healed. Rehabilitation allows patients to reduce pain and minimize disability with a hopeful return to their functional level before the injury.
