Spinal Fracture Trauma

Symptoms of a spinal fracture can vary depending on type, severity and location. Spinal fractures caused by a traumatic event require emergency evaluation and treatment.

See your doctor if you experience any new, persistent or unexplained symptoms such as:

• Mild to severe pain in the back or neck
• Pain that worsens with standing or lifting
• Loss of consciousness
• Weakness or paralysis of limbs
• Tingling or numbness
• Reflex changes
• Muscle spasms
• Posture changes or reduced height
• Incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control)
• Swelling or tenderness in the area around the fracture

Any of these symptoms may instead be caused by something other than spinal fracture. The only way to know what is causing a particular symptom is to see your doctor.

You know when something in your body feels “off.” If you’re suffering from chronic pain, don’t wait until the pain becomes unbearable to see a doctor. Consulting your health care provider when symptoms begin or worsen can lead to an earlier diagnosis and better chances of treating the condition with nonsurgical or minimally invasive methods.

Spinal fracture trauma is primarily caused by accidents or injuries, such as:

• Car, motorcycle or other vehicle accident
• Fall or forceful jump
• Sports injury
• Diving or trampoline accident
• Violent act, such a gunshot

It can also be caused by osteoporosis, spinal tumors or other health conditions that weaken the vertebrae.

• Compression fracture – Vertebrae in the lumbar spine collapses in on itself, often due to osteoporosis or the result of trauma
• Burst fracture – Vertebrae breaks when the spine is suddenly and forcefully compressed
• Flexion-distraction fracture – Vertebrae gets suddenly pulled away from each other
• Fracture-dislocation – Vertebrae breaks and is displaced (dislocated) from its usual location

• Cervical spine fracture – When the break occurs in the neck
• Thoracic spine fracture – When the break occurs in the middle to upper back
• Lumbar spine fracture – When the break occurs in the lower back

A spinal fracture is a medical emergency and requires a physical examination from an emergency medicine specialist. Your health care provider may order one or more imaging exams to confirm a diagnosis and assess the severity of the fracture:

• X-ray – An X-ray shows any fractures or abnormal movement in the spine
• Spine CT – A computed tomography scan shows any changes in the bone structure
• MRI – A magnetic resonance imaging scan shows any soft tissue damage to ligaments, disks or the spinal cord

A neurological exam may also be conducted to identify if any spinal cord or nerve compression occurred. 

If you receive a spinal fracture diagnosis, our specialists work together to create a customized treatment plan to help you find relief, repair damage and restore as much function as possible.

Treatment plans vary depending on the type and severity of symptoms. Most spinal fractures don’t require surgery. Certain cases require a more aggressive approach to treatment. Your health care team may use one or more of the following methods to treat and manage a spinal fracture:

• Bracing – A brace holds your spine in place as your fracture heals
• Non-prescription (over-the-counter) medication – Your doctor may recommend you take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or aspirin for a short period of time to reduce mild pain or swelling
• Ice application – Cooling the fracture area can help reduce pain and swelling
• Physical therapy – Your doctor may suggest you work with a physical therapist for nonsurgical ways to reduce your pain and restore function. Rehabilitation therapies commonly used include core strengthening exercises to improve posture, stretching to improve range of motion and gentle massage
• Lifestyle changes – Your doctor will discuss any recommended lifestyle changes with you, such as losing weight or quitting smoking, if necessary

If the fracture could damage your spinal cord or your pain remains after several months of nonsurgical treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to stabilize a bone fracture causing abnormal or excessive motion between two vertebrae in the spine.

Whenever possible, our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications. Common minimally invasive surgical treatments for spinal fractures include:

• Vertebroplasty – Your surgeon injects liquid cement into the fracture to strengthen it
• Kyphoplasty – Your surgeon inserts a tiny balloon that pushes the bones back into place. Then liquid cement is injected into the fracture to strengthen it

We understand how difficult it can be to live with pain and reduced function from a spinal fracture. Whether you need a precise diagnosis or a second opinion, we can help. Our specialists can pinpoint the cause of your symptoms and design a personalized treatment plan to restore your quality of life.