According to the Houston Methodist Hospital, approximately 700,000 individuals with osteoporosis suffer from spinal compression fractures each year. There are different levels of spinal fractures, and each depends upon the severity of the injury. A wedge fractures refers to a break near the front of the vertebrae, while a crush fracture is a fracture that occurs across the entire vertebrae. However, there is a third and more serious type of fracture called a burst fracture. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with a burst fracture, here are some frequently asked questions you might have:
What Exactly is a Burst Fracture?
Unlike a wedge fracture or a crush fracture, a burst fracture is more serious and involves a more intense breakage of the spinal vertebrae. A fraction of the broken vertebrae can even infiltrate the spinal canal. When this occurs, it can place pressure on the spinal cord, which can lead to a variety of neurological issues.
How Do Burst Fractures Commonly Occur?
Unlike a wedge fracture, which is usually associated with osteoporosis, a burst fracture typically happens after a forceful blow to the spinal column. For example, the patient might be involved in a serious car accident, or they could fall off the roof cleaning their gutters.
How Is a Burst Fracture Diagnosed?
After an individual suffers a burst fracture, there will be very noticeable symptoms, including:
- Horrendous back pain
- Weakness or tingling. This is often a sign that there was potential damage to the spinal cord.
- Trouble sufficiently emptying your bladder. Once again, if there is spinal cord involvement, the individual might have problems with their bladder.
After the accident, fall or however the burst fracture occurred, it is imperative the injured patient is taken to the emergency room. Once there, the doctor will diagnose the burst fracture by first asking how the injury occurred and the symptoms the patient is suffering. The doctor will also perform a physical exam to check for any bruising, swelling and other injuries.
Next, the physician will perform a number of tests to determine if the patient suffered a wedge, crush or burst fracture. These include an X-ray, computed tomography scan and a magnetic resonance scan. Additionally, the doctor might order a nerve conduction test. During this procedure, the doctor will place electrodes on your skin where they believe nerves that might be impacted by your fracture are found.
This test is done to determine if the nerve is healthy, or if your spinal cord was impacted by the burst fracture.
What Are the Treatment Options Available?
If the doctor diagnoses you with a burst fracture, the type of treatment they will utilize is dependent upon the severity of the injury. However, whatever the severity, it will be the doctor's goal to prevent further injury of the spine and worsening neurological symptoms.
If your injury isn't severe and has not impacted your spinal cord, the doctor may fit you with a brace. The brace will keep your spinal column safe and stabilized, which will allow the fracture to heal on its own. The doctor might also recommend a body cast, which will provide even more stability than a brace.
However, in cases when the burst fracture is more severe, the doctor will recommend surgery. This will help ensure your spinal cord doesn't bend any further, the ligaments in your column don't become more damaged and any neurological symptoms don't become worse.
Suffering a burst fracture of any of the vertebrae in your spinal column can be a painful and devastating experience. However, with a quick diagnosis, the right treatment and plenty of rest, it's possible to recover and begin enjoying your life again. Visit a site like http://swfna.com for more information.
