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A burst fracture is a serious type of spinal fracture where all sides of the vertebra are compressed and can spread apart in multiple directions. It can result in spinal cord or nerve injury, paralysis, chronic pain, and muscle weakness. Treatment may include surgery and physical therapy.
A burst fracture is a fracture in which a compressed vertebra is crushed. It could be considered an offshoot of a compression fracture, where one side of the vertebra is compressed, except with a burst fracture, all sides are compressed and the bone can spread apart in multiple directions. This type of fracture can be very dangerous for the patient and can have serious long-term implications.
The most common causes of burst fractures are falls from heights and traffic accidents. In either case, the spine can be subjected to tremendous compressive forces, and although it is designed to handle compression, the pressure can be so great that one or more vertebrae are fractured. This usually results in extreme pain for the patient in the area of the fracture and may be associated with immediate paralysis or loss of sensation below the level of the fracture.
There are several concerns with a burst fracture. The first is that there may be spinal cord or nerve injury. The vertebrae are designed in part to protect the spinal cord, and when one fractures, it can expose the cord to risk of damage. This can lead to a variety of medical problems including paralysis, muscle weakness, chronic pain and nerve twitching. The second problem is that the stability of the spine is greatly compromised, which can put the patient at risk.
If someone is suspected to have a burst fracture, they should be kept completely flat and pushed as little as possible until the fracture can be assessed. People who have fallen or been involved in road traffic accidents may be subject to ‘spinal protocols’ where they are treated as if they have vertebral fractures until it can be proven otherwise. This is designed to protect the spine in the event of a fracture.
Using X-rays, a spine specialist can diagnose a burst fracture and develop a treatment plan. Sometimes the patient can be protected during healing and that is enough. In other cases, patients require surgery, although a doctor may be forced to wait until the patient is stable before performing the surgery. There are a number of surgical options for treatment, including fusion, where nearby vertebrae are fused together to stabilize the spine.
Recovering from a burst fracture takes time and may require physical therapy and other measures. In the case of patients who have suffered spinal cord damage, recovery may also include occupational therapy.
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