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A spinal fracture, also called a vertebral fracture or a broken back, is a fracture affecting the vertebrae of the spinal column. Most types of spinal fracture confer a significant risk of spinal cord injury. After the immediate trauma, there is a risk of spinal cord injury (or worsening of an already injured spine) if the fracture is unstable ...
A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra. It may be due to trauma or due to a weakening of the vertebra (compare with burst fracture ). This weakening is seen in patients with osteoporosis or osteogenesis imperfecta , lytic lesions from metastatic or primary tumors , [ 1 ] or infection. [ 2 ]
An estimated 50 percent of spinal injuries are attributed to motor vehicle accidents. [10] Although the majority of vertebral fractures go undiagnosed, the annual cost related to treatment of vertebral fractures is estimated to be $1 billion in the U.S. [13] Symptomatic disc herniations are most common between ages 30–50 years.
It can cause low back pain, weakness or paralysis in the lower limbs, loss of sensation, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and loss of reflexes. [39] There may be bilateral sciatica with central disc prolapse and altered gait. [38] Unlike conus medullaris syndrome, symptoms often occur only on one side of the body. [37]
Patients with cervical fractures will likely be prescribed medication for pain control. In the long term, physical therapy will be given to build strength in the muscles of the neck to increase stability and better protect the cervical spine. Collars, traction and surgery can be used to immobilize and stabilize the neck after a cervical fracture.
A burst fracture results in a permanent decrease in anterior height, varying degrees of kyphosis, [7] and possible changes in neurological signal intensity with possible deterioration over time. Over the subject's lifetime, the subject experiences ancillary pain and discomfort in the spine and limbs caused by increasing neurological dysfunction.