Fracture

What are the reasons for lumbar spine fracture?

Spinal fractures are a serious orthopedic injury primarily resulting from high-velocity impacts including:

• Car or motorcycle accident

• Fall from height

• Sports accident

• Violent act (gunshot wound or assault)

Other conditions that cause spinal fractures include:

• Osteoporosis

• Spinal tumors

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Symptoms of lumbar spine fracture 

The most common symptom of spinal fracture is severe back pain that worsens with movement

Spinal fracture symptoms may include:

• Pain in the back

• Tingling or numbness

• Weakness or paralysis of limbs

• Uncontrolled muscle spasms

• Loss of urinary or bowel control

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When should I seek medical help?

If you experience any high-velocity trauma including a car accident and suffer from intense back pain, go to the hospital immediately. Also, seek help if you feel:

• Severe back pain that worsens with movement

• Neurological symptoms

  • Lower limb weakness or paralysis

  • Tingling and numbness of lower limbs

  • Loss of bladder control

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Diagnosis 

Spinal fractures require an evaluation from a medical doctor. Depending on injuries, other diagnostic tests your doctor may recommend include:

• X-rays to check for fractures or abnormal position of the spine

• Spine CT scan to view changes in the bone structure

• MRI scan to determine soft tissue damage to the ligaments and discs, and assess spinal cord injury

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Treatment 

When a spinal fracture occurs, the first step in treating the fracture is to stabilize the individual usually using a backboard or a stretcher.

To prevent the person from moving and sustaining further injuries.

After further assessment of the fracture, the next steps include:

• Surgery

  • Depending on the severity and location of the fracture.

  • Relieve pressure on the spinal cord and stabilize the spine

• Non-surgical treatment could be given to minor fractures with a brace with rest.

• Pain control

After emergency treatments are implemented, treatment for spinal fractures may include:

• Physical rehabilitation and therapy

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Recovery 

Regardless of whether treatment is surgical or nonsurgical, there will be a period of rehabilitation after a fracture has healed.

The goals of rehabilitation include:

1. Reducing pain

2. Restoring mobility

3. Returning the patient as closely as possible to his or her preinjury state

The rehabilitation could be done in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

If your fracture was caused by osteoporosis, you are at an increased risk for additional fractures. Your doctor would recommend treatments to restore bone density.

Possible complications include

• Chronic pain

• Inadequate reduction of the fracture

• Neurologic injury (paralysis)

• Progressive deformity of the spine.

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Prevention of osteoporotic fracture of the spine 

• Weight-bearing exercise

• Adequate dietary calcium

• Adequate sunshine for Vitamin D absorption

• Avoidance of smoking

• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

• Prevent falls