A fracture is also a term used for a spinal fracture, in which one of the 33 vertebrae in the spine actually fractures. The pain of a spinal fracture can be worrisome, but it does not necessarily mean that the spinal canal is damaged.
Falling is the most common cause of spinal fractures. Injuries from a car accident or other injuries can also cause a fracture of the spine. Other factors, such as osteoporosis and bone tumors, can also lead to a vertebral fracture. Bacterial infection of the vertebrae can also weaken it to the point of fracture. Malnutrition, weakened immune system, cancer and obesity may also increase the risk of fractures.
What are the symptoms of a spinal fracture?
Severe pain at the fracture site is usually a sign of a fracture in the lumbar vertebrae. Increased back pain while moving is another sign of a fracture.
The broken vertebrae press on the nerve fibers of the spinal canal, and the patient will experience numb pain as well. Nerve damage causes urinary problems and intestinal problems. There are three main patterns of spinal fractures. Each of them may have its own symptoms. The three patterns are flexion, extension, and rotation.
The flexion fracture pattern includes two types of fractures:
Compression fracture: While the front (anterior region) of the vertebrae fractures and its height decreases, the back (posterior region) of the vertebrae remains intact. This type of fracture is usually permanent, meaning the bones are not displaced and is rarely associated with nerve damage. Compression fractures commonly occur in patients with osteoporosis.
Explosive fracture: In this type of fracture, the nut loses its height on both the front and back. This complication often occurs due to falling on the foot after falling from a high height.
Extension fractures:
Extension fractures usually occur in accidents, that is, when the upper body is thrown forward but the lower torso remains in place due to the use of a seat belt.
Rotational fracture:
Transverse vertebral fracture: This type of fracture is not common and occurs due to severe rotation or bending to the side and usually in a car accident.
Dislocation fracture: This type of fracture is usually caused by a severe blow. In addition to vertebral fractures, this type of injury also involves damage to the tissue adjacent to the vertebrae, and in many cases causes damage to the spinal canal.
How is a lumbar vertebral fracture diagnosed?
The diagnostic steps are performed by performing physical diagnoses and examining the patient’s symptoms. Questions are also asked about the history of the disease, including osteoporosis. Other diagnostic methods include the following:
X-ray imaging
MRI imaging
CT-scan imaging
What are the treatment options for lumbar vertebral fractures?
Medication: The use of painkillers can be effective in reducing pain, but note that these medications only hide your pain and have no effect on the fracture.
Use of medical belt (brace)
Surgery
Compression fracture surgery
Two types of surgery are performed for this type of fracture;
Vertebroplasty: This surgery is one of the most up-to-date surgeries performed through a catheter. The surgeon guides the catheter into the fracture, then the catheter injects a special bone cement into the fracture. This method relieves the pain caused by the fracture but has no effect on the apparent deformity caused by the fracture.
Kyphoplasty: This procedure is similar to vertebroplasty surgery. Through a small incision in the patient’s back, the surgeon inserts an expandable balloon into the broken bone to create a space in which bone cement is then used to return the vertebra to its original height.
Explosive fractures
Corpectomy: For this type of fracture, corpectomy is performed from the front of the body. In this surgery, after removing all or part of the vertebra, the empty space of the vertebra is filled with artificial bone.
Spinal fusion: This type of surgery is also used to treat explosive fracture problems. This surgery requires a device that connects two or more vertebrae. After this surgery, the flexibility of the spine decreases.