Know the symptoms, causes and treatment of spinal fractures

Just like other parts of the bones in the bone structure in the motion system, the spine can also experience a fracture which is called a vertebral fracture. This condition can be dangerous to health, so it is necessary to get treatment immediately. To get to know this condition better, here is information about the symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment of spinal fractures.

What is a vertebral fracture?

A spinal fracture or vertebral fracture is when your spine breaks or cracks. The spine is formed by a series of vertebrae (vertebrae) that overlap from the base of the skull (neck) to the pelvis.

Of the series of bones, the middle back (thoracic) and lower back (lumbar) and their joints (thoracolumbar) are the most common parts to experience vertebral fractures. A fracture in the spine in the neck is more commonly referred to as a cervical fracture, while a fracture in the pelvis is more commonly referred to as a pelvic fracture.

Some fractures in the back can be very serious, but they can also be mild. In mild conditions, the most common type of fracture is compression fracture, which is when the bone is crushed but is still in its normal position. This condition generally occurs in patients with osteoporosis.

However, in severe conditions, the spine can break and occur in several areas of the bone (burst fracture) or even displaced from its normal location (dislocation fracture). This severe type of fracture can cause spinal instability to spinal cord injuries and nerve damage.

The reason is, one of the functions of the spine is to protect the spinal cord which is part of the central nervous system. The damage to the spine can also damage the spinal cord and the blood vessels and nerves that surround it. When this happens, the sufferer can experience paralysis.

Signs and symptoms of a spinal fracture

Symptoms of a vertebral fracture or vertebral fracture can vary from patient to patient. This depends on the severity and specific location of the fracture. But in general, here are the signs, features, and symptoms of a vertebral fracture that may occur:

• Severe, sudden back pain or pain, which generally gets worse when moving or standing and eases when lying on your back.
• Swelling around the broken bone.
• Pain that radiates to the arm or leg.
• Difficulty walking or moving.
• Deformity, deformity, or visible defects in the spine, such as curvature.
• Lose height or become shorter.
• Pain or spasm of the muscles in the back, near the occurrence of the fracture.

Apart from those mentioned above, several symptoms related to nerve and spinal cord damage can also arise if the fracture has affected both of them. Some of these symptoms include:

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the limbs.
• Sometimes paralysis or paralysis occurs.
• Changes in urination / bowel movements.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Causes and risk factors for vertebral fractures

A common cause of vertebral fracture is pressure or a hard blow to the spine. This pressure or impact generally occurs due to a fall from a height, a car or motorcycle accident, an injury during sports, or a violent act, such as a shot. In fact, reported by Wellstar, as many as 45 percent of people with fractures in the spine are caused by car accidents.

The traumatic events listed above put too much stress on the spine, which can result in the vertebra being fractured by not being able to withstand the force. In addition, trauma can cause the body to move in extreme ways, exerting extreme force on the spine.

This extreme force causes deformity or deformity in the spine. Deformity can be minimal with light pressure, but it can also be severe, such as bending forward (kyphosis), if under very hard pressure.

In addition, the pressure or impact that the body receives can be more at risk of causing fractures if you have a weak bone condition. There are several medical conditions that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis, cancer that has spread to the spine or bone cancer, or tumors of the spine.

In this condition, even simple movements or light pressure, such as grabbing an object, turning your body, or falling lightly, can cause fractures.

Apart from the causes above, there are several other factors that can increase a person's risk of having a spinal fracture. Some of these risk factors, namely:

• Elderly.
• Women, especially those who are older or have menopause.
• Lack of calcium intake which tends to lead to low bone density.
• Athletes or doing high-intensity sports.

Diagnosis of a vertebral fracture

To diagnose a vertebral fracture, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, how the injury or trauma occurred, and certain medical conditions and risk factors the patient may have. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the spinal area and test your range of motion, including noting any specific movements that cause, increase, or reduce pain.

If your doctor suspects that you have nerve damage, he or she may order a neurological exam. In a neurological exam, a chiropractor will test your reflexes and muscle strength, other neurological changes, and the spread of pain.

After that, the doctor will confirm a diagnosis of a spinal fracture by performing imaging tests, such as:

• X-ray. This test clearly shows your picture and whether you have had a fracture.
• CT scan. This test is to identify whether the fracture has affected the nerves and spinal cord.
• MRI scan. This test shows soft tissues, such as discs and nerves, to determine if there are other causes of pain in the patient, as well as to determine the type of fracture and how severe the fracture was.

Treatment for vertebral fractures

Patients with spinal fractures due to traumatic events need emergency treatment at the accident site. In this condition, the medical team will generally attach a neck brace and spine board to prevent movement of the two body parts. The reason is, movement in the area of ​​the broken spine can increase the likelihood of spinal cord injury.

Once the vertebral fracture is confirmed, the doctor will determine the right treatment for your condition. The determination of this treatment depends on the injury or cause of the fracture you are experiencing, the type of fracture, and whether there is nerve or spinal cord damage due to the condition.

However, in general, the most common treatments for spinal fractures include:

• Drugs

Doctors will usually give pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen to treat common pain. Other pain relievers can also be added if the pain is getting worse.

Medicines for muscle spasms, such as diazepam, may also be given. Talk to your doctor about the type of medication that is right for you.

• Brace

In a severe spinal fracture, including if there is damage to the nerves and spinal cord, fracture surgery will generally be performed. The goals of the surgical procedure on vertebral fractures are to return the bone to its original position, stabilize the fracture, and reduce pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.

The surgical procedure given depends on the type of fracture that he has had. In patients with severe compression fractures, two surgical procedures are possible, namely vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Vertebroplasty is performed by inserting a catheter into the fractured spine and injecting bone cement through the catheter to stabilize the spine.

Meanwhile, kyphoplasty is performed by inserting a surgical instrument in the form of a tube into the fractured spine. Then the tube is inflated to return the broken bone to its original position and height and form a cavity to be filled with bone cement. After the cavity is filled, the tube will be removed again and the surgical incision will be closed.

Apart from these two surgical procedures, the process of stabilizing the bone can also be done with other procedures, such as spinal fusion surgery or the installation of special fixation devices, such as screws, rods, or cages, including laminectomy.

Laminectomy is generally performed on types burst fracture which is not stable. In this surgery, the surgeon will remove the back of the spine (lamina) as well as other bones that are pressing on the spinal cord. After that, the doctor will return to stabilize the broken bone by reconstructing the bone or placing screws above and below the broken bone.

• Therapy or rehabilitation

After undergoing treatment, be it surgery or non-surgery, physical therapy (physiotherapy) or rehabilitation will generally be carried out to help restore range of motion and carry out normal activities. Other therapies, such as occupational therapy, may be needed depending on the individual patient's condition. Consult your doctor or therapist regarding this.

How long will it take to recover from a vertebral fracture?

Vertebral fractures generally heal in 6-12 weeks. During that time too brace will continue to be used. Even after you have had surgery, brace need to be used to help the healing process. After that, you will probably go through physical therapy for three to six weeks.

Your doctor will tell you when you can resume normal activities. Minor fractures allow you to return to your normal lifestyle. As for serious fractures, it may take months or years to fully heal.

To help the recovery process, you should stop smoking, not consume alcohol, and eat foods for fractures that are good for consumption. Don't forget to always do the movement exercises as recommended by your physiotherapist.

Possible complications of a vertebral fracture

Having a vertebral fracture increases your risk of developing other medical conditions or complications. Some of the complications that may occur from a vertebral fracture are:

• Blood clots in the pelvis and legs due to resting too long during immobilization or treatment.
• Pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot breaks and flows into the lungs.
• Pneumonia. This generally occurs when a vertebral fracture has resulted in spinal cord injury. This condition can affect the diaphragm and the muscles in the chest and stomach walls, making it more difficult for you to breathe and cough.
• Pressure sores or pressure ulcers, resulting from staying in one position for too long, such as lying in bed, during immobilization or treatment.

In addition, there are also risks or complications that may arise associated with the spinal surgery you are undergoing. These complications, namely bleeding, infection, leakage of spinal fluid, nonunion (no bone joints), or complications from other injuries.