Spinal fractures are an unfortunately common injury stemming from falls, auto collisions, and medical conditions. Injuring the spine can cause a serious decline in a person’s quality of life and, in severe cases, death. Fortunately, multiple treatments are available to manage this condition and help people heal from the physical trauma.
Dealing with any spinal injury can be overwhelming, which Dr. Grigory Goldberg understands. As a leading spine surgeon in New Jersey, he believes patient education can help ease concerns about diagnosing and treating back fractures. Consult the helpful guide below to learn vital information regarding this medical condition.
What Is a Spinal Fracture?
A spine fracture describes a break in at least one of your 33 vertebrae. Because these bones support your spinal cord running from your neck to your tailbone, injuring any of them can cause severe pain, movement restrictions, and possibly nerve or spinal cord damage. You can sustain a vertebral fracture in multiple ways, including trauma from an accident, a fall, a sports injury, osteoporosis, and other conditions that cause bone or vertebral disc weakness.
Globally, the number of spine fractures is increasing. A 2022 report in The Spine Journal claims that incident cases increased by almost 40% from 1990 to 2019.
Spinal fractures fit into four categories:
- Burst Fractures. Major impacts like those you can experience in a car crash can crush multiple vertebrae. Due to the many bone fragments that float around soft tissues and the spinal cord, this type of injury is severe and complex to repair.
- Compression Fractures. Thin, brittle, or weak vertebrae can cause bone breakage. People with bone cancer, osteoporosis, and osteopenia are at high risk.
- Fracture-dislocation: This injury damages a whole vertebra enough for it to move in all directions, creating instability.
- Flexion-Distraction Fractures. This is another common car accident injury occurring when the body moves forward quickly and jolts to a stop with enough force to crack a vertebra.
Some people have a higher risk factor for spinal breaks than others. Common risk factors include low bone density, age, and medical history. Those with previous fractures are more likely to have another one later in life than people who have never experienced this kind of medical problem.
How Medical Professionals Diagnose Spine Fractures
Before spine doctors in New Jersey can treat spinal fractures, they must first diagnose them. The diagnosis process typically involves a physical exam and a discussion of the patient’s medical history. The physician will evaluate the patient’s pain, check for nerve damage, and visually examine their back.
Medical imaging tests are also necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Common tests include:
- MRI scans to check soft tissues around the spine
- X-rays to see bones and detect fractures
- CT scans to assess the severity of the broken bone using detailed images of vertebrae
Without a proper diagnosis, creating the ideal treatment plan to resolve the issue would be impossible.
Treatment Options for Broken Vertebrae
Different spine fractures and their severity levels will require different treatments. For mild cases, conservative therapies are best. They include:
- Rest. Resting in bed for a day or two can help relieve pain.
- Bracing. A brace can stabilize your spine enough for the bones to heal naturally.
- Pain Management. Prescription medication and over-the-counter pain relievers can dull aches and inflammation during recovery.
- Physical Therapy. Most spinal fractures require physical therapy treatment, which uses targeted exercises to strengthen the spine and restore flexibility and movement.
Surgical treatments are also available for severe spinal trauma and instability. These treatments include the following:
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a common spinal surgery. To stabilize a damaged vertebra, a surgeon injects cement into the affected bone. Once the cement hardens, it restores the vertebral column’s stability and reduces pain.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is a relatively safe and effective treatment of compression fracture pain and restoring vertebral height. It’s similar to vertebroplasty but uses a balloon instead of cement.
The surgical risk is minimal. According to a peer-reviewed article in Spine Health, the risk of complications following kyphoplasty is less than 4%.
Decompression Surgery
Sometimes fractures put excess pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. If that happens, decompression surgery can reduce the pressure, providing relief.
Spinal Fusion
With spinal fusion, a surgeon will bind at least two vertebrae together for stabilization. This surgery is usually ideal for severe fractures involving major instability.
Surgeries to treat vertebral damage are steadily increasing. A 2022 study in the North American Spine Society Journal states that surgical treatments, excluding vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, for spinal fractures increased by over 461% between 1993 and 2014 alone.
Turn to Dr. Goldberg for Personalized Spine Damage Treatment
Grigory Goldberg, MD, is an award-winning spine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgeries throughout New Jersey. His state-of-the-art clinics and staff offer personalized treatments, including spine surgery for herniated discs, failed back syndrome, and spinal fractures.
Our doctor accepts most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available, so contact Grigory Goldberg, MD, today for an appointment in New Jersey.
FAQs About Spine Fractures
If you have questions about vertebral fractures, you’re not alone. Here, we answer our patients’ most common questions regarding the topic.
What Should I Avoid with a Broken Spine?
If you have a broken spine, it’s best to avoid bending and twisting your back. Driving, high-impact sports, and lifting are other activities to avoid.
Do I Need Lots of Bedrest with a Spine Fracture?
You should only rest for a few days after breaking part of your spine, after which regular movement would be necessary to prevent long-term damage.
Does It Take a Long Time for Broken Vertebrae to Heal?
On average, it takes six to 12 weeks for a broken vertebra to heal. Yet, the time it takes to recover from such an injury depends on factors such as your overall health, the severity of the break, and the type of treatment you undergo.
How Can I Tell If My Spinal Fracture Is Healing?
When spinal fractures heal, you’ll likely experience reduced pain and inflammation. Another sign of improvement is enhanced mobility.
