![]() Once the trauma team has stabilized all other life-threatening injuries, the doctor will evaluate the spinal fracture pattern and decide whether spine surgery is needed. Treatment for a fracture of the thoracic or lumbar spine will depend on: Depending on the extent of injuries, this may include x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of multiple areas, including the thoracic and lumbar spine. After the physical examination, a radiologic evaluation is required. Problems with bowel and bladder function may indicate a more serious spinal cord injury. The doctor may also check the tone of the anal muscles and determine whether the patient is able to empty his or her bladder without assistance. The patient's reflexes will also be tested to help determine whether there has been an injury to the spinal cord or individual nerves. This includes testing his or her ability to move, feel, and sense the position of all the limbs. The doctor will evaluate the patient's neurological status. This will include an inspection of the head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, limbs, and spine. The emergency room doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation, beginning with a head-to-toe physical examination of the patient. The trauma team will perform a complete and thorough evaluation in the hospital emergency room. After the vital signs are stabilized, rescue workers will assess obvious bleeding and limb-deforming injuries.īefore moving the patient, the EMS team must immobilize the individual in a cervical (neck) collar and backboard. ![]() 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. Other common symptoms of compression fracture include pain when twisting or bending, loss of height, and a hunched forward position called kyphosis.A compression fracture of the lumbar (lower) spine.Īxial burst fracture. ![]() Though rare, if the collapsed vertebra is compressing one or more nerves, pain may radiate down the path of the nerve, such as into the arm or leg. The area around the fracture may be sensitive to touch. The first sign is often severe acute back pain that feels better with rest. Symptoms of a spinal compression fracture can vary widely. Vertebral compression fractures can occur in one or more vertebrae.Ĭommonly, the fracture results in a wedged shape vertebral body, as the bone in the front of the spine column collapses and loses height, but leaves the back of the bone unchanged. They rarely occur above the T7 level of the spine. While compression fractures can occur anywhere in the spine, they typically occur in the thoracic region, which includes the T1 through T12 vertebrae, or in the lumbar spine, the L1 through L5 vertebrae. The fracture occurs when the bone has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer support the spinal column in daily activities. Most compression fractures occur in vertebrae that have been weakened by osteoporosis or other diseases that weaken bone, such as cancer. A compression fracture is defined as a fracture that occurs because of compression of the bone in the spine.
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