Compression fracture of the spine

Compression fracture is a serious and dangerous damage to both the vertebral column and the whole musculoskeletal system. To date, unfortunately, it continues to be the most urgent problem of traumatology among adults and children. Most often, these types of injuries are caused by car accidents, diving into an inadequate deep basin, osteoporosis of bones, falls from a height and other causes.

Types of compression fracture of the spine

In general, the compression fracture is divided into two types: complicated and uncomplicated.

If uncomplicated, the victim complains only of local back pain, neurological symptoms are absent. Often such a fracture is not immediately diagnosed due to the fact that it practically does not cause any inconvenience to the patient, and is discovered by chance. With the passage of time, soreness stops, and the patient completely recovers.

Complicated fractures, as a rule, are accompanied not only by local pain along the site of the fracture, but also by the presence of neurological disorders, namely disorders of the regulatory and conduction functions of the spinal cord. Particularly difficult cases lead to severe disability, and sometimes even to death.

Compression fracture of the spine. Effects.

Our spine easily tolerates quite large loads exerted from the outside. And at the same time, some kinds of vertebral fractures pass almost imperceptibly for the injured. Most often this happens in the case of a compression fracture option.

The first consequences are felt almost immediately. There is a sharp pain in the damaged area, in the hands or feet. Tactile sensitivity is often reduced. Over time, the vertebrae will be amazed more and more, so the pain will only increase, especially at night and in the morning.

What is so dangerous this kind of fracture afterwards?

• It leads to instability of the vertebrae in the department where there was once a trauma.

• Often observed the development of so-called kyphoscoliosis, which is a persistent curvature of the spine.

• Development of osteochondrosis

• Radiculitis.

In no case should we forget that with a fracture, nervous structures can be damaged and not immediately. Gradually pressed into the vertebrae bone fragments narrow the vertebral canal, squeezing the blood vessels inside. The latter, in turn, nourish the nerve structures. This provokes a violation of the blood supply to the spine, and the condition itself is called stenosis of the spinal canal. Gradually, the pain begins to grow, the parts of the body grow numb, the strengths of the muscles of the legs and arms become weaker.

Treatment of fracture

If a fracture is uncomplicated, then doctors, as a rule, recommend conservative treatment. The fracture is treated reliably fixing the damaged department during the entire period of its recovery.

Often in such cases, the patient is placed on a hard bed, inclined at a certain angle, any physical exertion is completely excluded, and thus the spine itself is restored after some time. LFK at a compression fracture of a backbone is appointed or nominated by the doctor along with massage, but only after all displays of a painful syndrome completely disappear. Do not consider uncomplicated compression fracture of the spine as a minor injury, and neglect the doctor's recommendations. Failure to adhere to a special regime can have very serious consequences.

For a long time after a back injury of this kind, one should beware of lifting weights, long sitting in one position, avoiding active physical activities, slopes and any abrupt movements.

As you yourself could see, it is very important to recognize the compression fracture in time to start the necessary treatment, so the recommendations of the specialists sound approximately the same: you should never postpone your visit to the doctor in cases of a back injury.