Spine Fractures and Injuries
In our Center for Traumatology we treat spine fractures and injuries.
Treatment of spinal fractures and injuries
Spinal surgery is a branch of orthopedics and traumatology or neurosurgery that deals with the treatment of injuries, degenerative diseases, tumors, inflammatory diseases and deformities of the spine. Most often, these are fractures of the thoracolumbar spine, with the osteoporosis which is main cause (a condition that has several causes and leads to a weakened bone structure). This type of fracture is caused by milder injuries (low intensity trauma). In addition, we also treat spinal fractures that are caused by high-intensity trauma and can lead to a neurological outcome (extremity weakness and loss of stool and urination control).
Contact us with full confidence for a post-injury examination or a second opinion on how to treat your injury. The areas of work of the Center for Traumatology are:
- Osteoporotic fractures of the spine
- Fractures of the cervical spine
- Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine
- Fractures of the sacral and coccygeal spine
About spinal fractures and injuries
Fractures are caused by the action of a strong mechanical force on the bone, which leads to a loss of bone strength and function. They most often occur as a result of falls or traffic accidents (whiplash – shock injury of the neck). Spine fractures can have an additional complication and danger because the spine contains nerve structures whose damage leads to weakness of the arms and legs, as well as loss of stool and urination control. Patients predominantly complain of pain at the fracture site.
Diagnostics and treatment
The first step in diagnosing a fracture is a clinical examination and X-ray. If there is a need for additional radiological examinations, MSCT or MRI can also be performed. When a fracture diagnosis is made, further treatment is arranged with the patient, which can be conservative (cast or orthosis) or surgical. In principle, stable spinal fractures are treated conservatively and if the fracture is unstable, surgery is required.
What to expect from conservative treatment?
Conservative treatment:
- stable spinal fractures (majority of spinal fractures)
Conservative treatment requires:
- rest, pain medication, prescribed immobilization is worn
- coming for regular check-ups and X-ray imaging
- physical therapy after removing the immobilization
What to expect from surgical treatment?
Surgical treatment includes (vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty, percutaneous stabilization of the spine):
- shorter hospital stay
- anesthesia - regional or general
- surgical incision over the fracture site
- implant placement that allows the bone to heal in a good position
- early physical therapy and stretching
- post-operative controls and X-ray imaging to monitor bone healing
- in some cases, implant removal after bone healing
Complications of surgical treatment:
- infection in the surgical area
- deep vein thrombosis of the operated extremity
- fracture nonunion as a late complication
