![]() It may be difficult to assess the extent of their injuries on first evaluation.Īt the accident scene, EMS rescue workers will first check the patient's vital signs, including consciousness, ability to breathe, and heart rate. Patients with fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine that have been caused by trauma need emergency treatment. These injuries frequently cause serious spinal cord compression. This is an unstable injury involving bone and/or soft tissue in which a vertebra moves off an adjacent vertebra (displacement). ![]() It does not usually affect stability.įracture-dislocation. This uncommon fracture results from rotation or extreme sideways (lateral) bending. This type of fracture can occur in a head-on car collision when the upper body is thrown forward while the pelvis is stabilized by a lap seat belt. ![]() The vertebra is literally pulled apart (distraction). Extension Fracture Patternįlexion/distraction (Chance) fracture. Some fractures are stable, while others are significantly unstable (the bones have moved out of place). An axial burst fracture can sometimes result in nerve compression. It is often caused by landing on the feet after falling from a significant height. In this type of fracture, the vertebra loses height on both the front and back sides. Call (310) 828-7757 and speak with a representative who can schedule your in-person consultation.A compression fracture of the lumbar (lower) spine.Īxial burst fracture. Eating more vitamin-rich foods and getting regular exercise to strengthen supporting back muscles can help reduce the risk of experiencing a fracture.įor more information, reach out to Los Angeles spine surgery center, The Spine Institute. It’s estimated that a quarter of all post-menopausal women in the U.S. If the stability or deformity is significant, surgery may be recommended to fill the affected area with a special type of cement (vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty).Īffecting around 700,000 people annually in the United States alone, compression fractures somewhere along the spine are fairly common. Nonsurgical treatments for back pain typically involve the use of medication, modification of activities, and bracing. Treating Compression FracturesĬompression fractures rarely result in nerve or spinal cord damage since the front of the vertebral column is usually affected. ![]() An X-ray can confirm the presence of suspected fracture. Roughly two-thirds of compression fractures affecting the spine aren’t diagnosed or treated since back pain is often attributed to muscle strain or aging. *This is often due to increased lack of activity to avoid pain. If it goes untreated or undetected, the pain may reach a point where it becomes chronic, or persistent.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |