Fractures of the Spine

What Causes Fractures of the Spine?

A spinal fracture is a break in the bones of the spine, and can occur in the neck, upper back and lower back.

There are many potential causes of spinal fractures, including:

• Trauma (car accidents, falls, etc)
• Osteoporosis (low bone density, often seen in older women)
• Spinal tumors
• Spinal infection

Accidents like car crashes, falls, or sports injuries can all cause mild to severe fractures. Most injuries occur in the thoracic spine (mid-back), lumbar spine (lower back), or thoracolumbar junction (connection of the two).

Osteoporosis is the low density and weakening of the bones, often seen in post menopausal women, especially those not consuming enough Calcium and Vitamin D. This weakness within the bones makes them more susceptible to breaks.

Types of Fractures

Fractures can be stable or unstable. This classification can be based on several factors, such as the location of the fracture, degree of the deformity caused by the fracture, and the degree of the damage to other structures such as ligaments and capsules. These are also the factors that can classify the fractures into compression fractures, axial burst fractures, and chance fractures. These classification are not perfect or comprehensive and are just tools to help guide diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Compression fractures are most common in people who have osteoporosis or bone cancer or who undergo radiation or chemotherapy treatments. All of these conditions make the vertebrae brittle and thin, making it easier for them to develop cracks and breaks. Most of these fractures are considered stable and do not require surgical intervention.

A compression fracture can cause:

• Back pain
• Kyphosis
• Shortened height

An axial burst fracture is a compression fracture that occurs after high-energy axial loading spinal trauma. It can cause a disruption of the posterior vertebral body and ligamentous complex. Most of these fractures are considered unstable and require surgical intervention.

The most common symptoms of an axial burst fracture include:

• Pain that worsens when moving
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Trouble emptying the bladder or bowels

A chance fracture is an unstable spinal fracture that usually occurs at the thoracolumbar junction. The fracture is horizontal and extends from anterior to posterior through the vertebral body and pedicles. Some common causes of these fractures are head-on vehicle collisions, strikes to the abdomen, or falls.

There are various treatments appropriate for spinal fractures. The one that Dr. Khamsi recommends for you will depend on the type of fracture, the location of the fracture, your overall health, and other factors.