Surgical procedures include vertebrectomy and fusion or grafting. These fractures often require surgery for decompression and stabilization. The nonsurgical treatment for a Chance fracture is immobilization in a cast or brace. Proper use of a shoulder belt can help reduce the risk of a Chance fracture. Causesĭistraction fractures are sometimes called a seatbelt fracture because they can occur in head-on car accidents when the upper body is thrown forward while the lower half of the body is held in place by the lap part of the seat belt. You should seek treatment immediately if you aren’t taken to the ER by emergency services. High-force crashes like the ones that cause distraction fractures may also cause brain injuries and loss of consciousness. SymptomsĪ distraction fracture is a serious injury and causes severe back pain. If the ligaments are involved it is more difficult to heal. The bone and ligaments may both be involved. Both procedures are non-invasive and patients can return to normal activities very soon after surgery.Ī flexion-distraction, or Chance, fracture occurs when the vertebrae are pulled apart (distraction) during a severe trauma like a head-on car collision. The surgeon inserts bone cement directly into the affected vertebra. Vertebroplasty : A vertebroplasty is similar to kyphoplasty but does not include the balloon device.The balloon is deflated and removed, leaving a cavity that the surgeon will fill with bone cement to strengthen the vertebra. The inflated balloon increases vertebral height and restores shape. A balloon device is inserted into the vertebra through the needle and is carefully inflated. Kyphoplasty : The surgeon inserts a needle into the fractured vertebra with x-ray guidance.The two surgical procedures performed to treat compression fractures are: If pain persists after nonsurgical treatments, surgical options can be explored. Nonsurgical treatments include rest, pain medication, and braces to restrict movement. TreatmentĬompression fractures often heal without surgical intervention to repair the fractures. Cancer that spreads to the bone may weaken the vertebra, which can cause collapse. In people with healthy spines, compression fractures usually occur after severe trauma such as a fall or car accident. When bones are very weak and brittle, they can be fractured during everyday activities like lifting lightweight objects, walking up steps, or even sneezing. Osteoporosis makes patients more vulnerable to spinal fractures. If left untreated, individuals with VCF may notice a loss in height. Movement often increases pain, which is sometimes relieved by rest. In rare cases, pain caused by a compression fracture may move into the abdomen or into the legs. Vertebral compression fractures cause back pain in the area of the affected vertebra. The other type of VCF is the axial burst fracture, in which the vertebra collapses in both the front and back. The most common type of vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebra breaks, but the back does not, creating a wedge shape. Compression or flexion fractures most often occur in the thoracic and lumbar spine. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, vertebral compression fractures occur in around 700,000 patients each year. Compression FracturesĪ compression fracture occurs when part of a vertebra collapses. There are three types of spinal fractures: compression, distraction, and rotation. Even if symptoms are not severe, you should consult an orthopedic doctor to prevent further damage to the spine or nerves. Spinal fractures are serious injuries that need to be examined and monitored by a doctor.
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