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Features of treatment, exercise therapy, the effects of compression fracture of the vertebra

A Compression fracture of a vertebra can occur for two reasons. The first is trauma, such as a car accident, which resulted in the spine are under pressure. Under the action of force is crushing the vertebra into many small bone fragments. Most often such injuries are localized in the thoracic and lumbar. The second cause of compression fractures is the reduction in bone strength as a result of the tumor or osteomyelitis. In patients with degenerative-dystrophic diseases of the skeleton increased risk of compression fractures, they can get injured in the most ordinary circumstances. By its nature, compression fractures are considered severe, as to restore the integrity of vertebrae require fixation. If the damage of the spine is most often affected spinal cord, which causes various neurological disorders. From the location of the injury determines the types of complications, and treatment.

the Problem of compression fracture of the vertebra

Diagnosis of injury

The Spinal cord takes part in the work of all organs and systems of the body, so any damage will inevitably cause various disorders. At slowly evolving narrowing of the spinal canal the patient experiences pain and discomfort for a long time. When falls, accidents, and strikes a fracture is accompanied with an instant and very intense pain. If you suspect a compression fracture of a vertebra should immediately go to the emergency room. Besides pain, the injury may develop bruising and swelling. If the spinal cord or nerve roots are compressed, broken skin sensitivity, a feeling of numbness, tingling and flowing in the limbs. To self diagnose an injury is impossible, for these purposes applied:

  • radiography
  • magnetic resonance imaging
  • computed tomography.

Through these surveys, the surgeon can specify the number and location of bone fragments, in order to correctly perform the osteosynthesis. Often there is a simultaneous damage of several vertebrae, which may be complicated by rupture of the ligaments.

Compression fracture of the spine

Features compression fracture

According to statistics most often affected are the lumbar spine. How are the site of fracture and symptoms of the victim?

  1. Cervical spine. In this part of the spine include 7 vertebrae, named the Latin letter C, numbering starts from the skull. All injuries of the cervical spine is very dangerous, especially damage to vertebrae C1 and C2. The spine is responsible for the operation of the senses. Damage to the spinal cord in this part of the spine lead to very severe headaches, disturbance of skin sensation in the head, neck and upper extremities, loss of smell and impaired vision and hearing. Injury 6 and 7 of the vertebrae are causing the thyroid and hormonal abnormalities such as hypothyroidism.
  2. Thoracic spine. 12 vertebrae that are in the thoracic segment, called Latin letter D. This part of the spinal cord responsible for work of the kidneys, adrenal glands, respiratory organs and digestion. 4 fracture of thoracic vertebra affect the gallbladder, which leads to disruption of digestion of fats, the formation of stones in the gallbladder and jaundice. Compression of the nerve roots and narrowing of the spinal canal in the thoracic region causes a motility disorder of the large and small intestines, diseases of the respiratory system and reproductive dysfunction.
  3. Fractured 9 vertebra provokes disorders of the adrenal glands, which leads to weakening of the immune system and allergic reactions. Compression injury 11 vertebrae negatively affect the functioning of the kidneys and ureters, leading to chronic pathologies of the kidneys and impaired urination. Damage to the vertebra 12 in women adversely affects the fallopian tubes that can cause infertility. In advance it is difficult to predict what complications will get injured, but without a speedy restoration of the integrity of the spine, the condition will quickly deteriorate.
  4. Lumbar consists of five vertebrae named Latin letter L. When fracture of the L1 vertebra is a negative impact on the Appendix, the caecum and upper part of the thigh. Possible loss of cutaneous sensitivity and the failure of normal bowel motility, and constipation, diarrhea and colitis. Fracture of L3 and incorrect splicing leads to the breakdown of sexual function in men, in particular impotence. Often there is pain in the knee joints, disorders of muscular control and limited mobility. The lumbar spinal cord regulates bladder trauma can occur involuntary urination or urinary retention.
  5. sacrococcygeal spine consists of two vertebrae. The spinal cord in this part of the spine is responsible for movement and functioningof the pelvic organs. The fractures of the tip of the spine are very common. Incorrect splicing threaten the victim of chronic pain and loss of control over defecation.

the Structure of the spine

Thanks to modern medicine if timely treatment, diagnosis and treatment can minimize the risk of potential complications. The pressure on the spinal cord may have a hernia, displacement of the cartilage disks as a result of dislocation or torn ligaments. Particularly hard hit have the compression fractures, in which small pieces of crushed vertebrae penetrate directly into the spinal cord.

With all the options of location of bone fragments is necessarily to check unconditioned reflexes and skin sensitivity.

If for restoration of a vertebral body is not enough bone material, the surgeon performs a vertebroplasty, which means the replacement of a missing volume using artificial materials. If you want to restore not just the structure but also the height of the vertebra kyphoplasty is used. If the vertebra is reduced by less than one third, it's broken the 1 degree, if ½ is a fracture of the 2nd degree if more than ½ is a fracture of the 3rd degree, that is the most difficult. To prevent osteoporosis persons over the age of 50 additionally appointed densitometry is a study on the chemical composition of bone tissue. Primarily professionals interested in the percentage of calcium, which gives information about the strength of the bones.

surgical treatment

In order to restore the shape of vertebrae, always required surgical intervention. The nature of the damage skin compression fractures are:

  • open, that is, with the formation of the wound, communicating with the external environment;
  • closed, i.e. Preserving the integrity of the skin.

Closed fractures often occur due to osteomyelitis or impact the spine on a hard surface. Open is usually caused by bending and tearing of the axis of the spine, as well as penetrating gunshot wounds. After the surgeon removes small bone fragments and binds large, the time required for the regeneration of bone tissue. To cause the displacement of fragments can stress the back muscles, so during recovery, the patient maintains the recumbent lifestyle. The speed of recovery depends on many factors:

  • age of the victim (children fractures heal faster on average than in the elderly);
  • the individual characteristics of metabolism;
  • from the severity of damage.

With both open and closed fractures almost always suffer blood vessels. When splashing of blood in the intercellular substance of the tissues surrounding the hematoma is formed, which poses a risk to the spinal cord. The cavity of the hematoma drained by a surgeon, and all the blood is removed. With single compression fractures the average healing time of a vertebra is 3 months, in multiple, from 4 months to half a year. In very rare cases required reoperation. For the prevention of infection is assigned a course of antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Since fractures of the spine are very painful, painkillers are selected either by injection or in pills. As you heal the pain subside, but to begin physical activity only with the permission of the attending physician.

rehabilitation

In order to restore mobility of the spine in full and return the muscles affected selected therapeutic exercises. Physical therapy usually includes sessions led by the instructor and independently. Responsible and regular exercise helps to normalize blood circulation in the back area, to make the muscles strong and elastic and reduce the risk of possible complications.

Exercises from the course of therapeutic exercises are selected individually, taking into account the location of the injury, age and physical fitness of the patient.

The Exercises is an excellent prevention of negative consequences of fracture. After completing the exercise you should feel the normal muscle fatigue, but not severe pain. When the pain should consult a physician and adjust exercise therapy. A comprehensive approach to rehabilitation involves the strengthening of the bones through the range of vitamins and minerals. For pain and accelerate regeneration applies to physical therapy.