The is the cylindrical shaped portion of the vertebral bone that lies in front and provides the majority of structural support. The very important factor that makes a fracture stable is that the ends of the fractured bone must be in their correct anatomical alignment. Most flexion injuries--including stable burst fractures and osteoporotic compression fractures—can be treated with bracing for 6 to 12 weeks. Once the brace is discontinued physical therapy is instituted to help with trunk strength and lower extremity strength. If a vertebra is crushed in all directions, the condition is called a burst fracture. A compression fracture is a condition in which a vertebra is crushed only in the front part of the spine, causing a wedge shape.
Whereas an unstable fracture has a high degree of nerve compression, which can result in neurological issues such as loss of motor functions. A burst fracture can result from spinal injury or trauma that causes the affected vertebral body to be crushed or severely compressed, altering the normal shape and height of the spinal bone. Burst fractures are classified either stable or unstable. Unlike compression fractures, it's not just one part of the vertebra that's fractured. Occasionally, burst fractures may occur after minor trauma in a spine that is already weakened by conditions like osteoporosis or a tumor.
If that is the case, the patient is usually treated at bed rest, flat until early healing has begun. The degree of recovery may depend on the timing of surgery, the degree of spinal canal compromise and the stability of the spine. In general, a stable burst fracture is one in which there is no neurologic injury, in which the angulation of the spine is less than 20 degrees and in which the amount of spinal canal compromise is less than 50 percent. However, with permanent neurologic injury, recovery is limited. The bones spread out in all directions and may damage the spinal cord. In general, a burst fracture represents a serious problem, since the vertebral body shatters with enough force to separate the bone fragments and compromise the vertebra’s ability to support the spine.
You can feel the spinous process, a projection from this arch, when you press on the skin in the middle of your back.
They will usually be fit with a brace once their incisions have become less painful and they have recovered from the surgical approach.Patients are usually allowed to walk within one or two days of surgery with the help of a physical therapist.Subsequent x-rays are taken in the surgeon's office to follow the position of the spine and to assess the degree of healing.
The surgeon may remove a specific bone that is compressing the spinal cord and nearby nerve roots, which is referred to as a decompression surgery. The amount of recovery following a burst fracture is usually dependent on the neurologic injury. The spine is approached from the side so that fragments can be removed from the spinal canal without disturbing the spinal cord. The vertebral arch is a ring-shaped section that forms the roof of the spinal canal and protects the spinal cord. When the burst fracture is stable, the amount of spinal nerve compression is low. In a burst fracture, the vertebra is fractured in multiple places. Burst fractures require immediate attention and treatment to prevent or minimize injury to the spinal cord.As a result of the impaired mechanical strength following a burst fracture, the spine may develop an abnormal angulation that can lead to pain or further neurological compromise. Immediate hospitalization is required, as such injuries may result in varying degrees of spinal cord injury with possible paralysis. The bones of the spine have two main sections.
CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. This is usually in severe fractures where there is subluxation or dislocation of the spinal elements. Bone fragments can also be displaced into the spinal canal or foramen (exit route for an individual nerve root), leading to pressure on the nerves and compromised function. Burst fractures are more severe than compression fractures. The only fractures that are not unstable are linear (fissured) as in some fractures of flat bones and perhaps epiphyseal fractures where there has been no displacement of the ends of the bones. Doctors will need to know how the injury occurred and will perform a comprehensive neurological determine whether deficits exist.The doctor may also order the following tests to confirm a diagnosis. In general a molded turtle shell type brace (TLSO) or a body cast is required for the treatment of a burst fracture.