Symptoms, treatment methods and possible consequences of fracture of the spine

One of the most dangerous injuries is fracture of the spine, the consequences of which are dangerous to health and life.

A Compression fracture of the spine occurs often enough. This pathology occurs when the combined compressive and bending force on the vertebrae. Such exposure leads to increased pressure on the discs and vertebral bodies that threatens to change the shape of the latter. Wedge-shaped deformation can result in formation of the transverse process and the reduction of the total height of the spine. As a result, the portion of the vertebra is pressing on the spinal cord. Such injuries are often observed in the elderly, and in victims of car accidents. How to determine a compression fracture of the spine and what the consequences can cause this pathology?

Clinical manifestations of fracture of the spine

The Clinical manifestations of fracture may be different depending on what part of the spine is a violation of integrity. The most highly susceptible to fractures of the upper lumbar and lower thoracic departments. In both cases, the symptoms of fracture are similar and represent:

• pain, aggravated by movement;
• swelling of soft tissues;
• visible curvature of the spine;
• bleeding (in rare cases)
• girdle pains in the abdomen;
• the weakness and numbness of the limbs
• difficulty breathing;
• mechanical damage to the skin.

The greatest risk of vertebral injury lies not in these symptoms. In most cases, vertebral fractures are associated with injuries of the spinal cord, which has the nature of concussions, bruises, razmozjenia and even a complete rupture. These injuries often cause impairments in those areas which are the responsibility of the damaged spinal cord. With increasing intensity of damage observed increase in the risk of neurological disorders.

With relatively mild injuries or fractures, occurring against the background of other diseases of the vertebrae, the pain is not too strong, so patients often ignore them. Doctors recommend to focus not on the pain itself, namely, neurological symptoms such as weakening of the muscles or numbness in the extremities.

Effects and possible complications

The Most dangerous spine injury associated with cervical Department. There are a large number of nerve channels and blood vessels. Therefore, such fractures can not only lead to complete immobility, but may also affect respiratory function. In these cases, urgent measures were taken such as ventilation. However, even the most minor spinal cord injury can cause complete disability.

If the integrity of the spinal cord has not occurred, a spinal injury is still very dangerous. According to severity they can be divided into 3 groups:

1. reduction in the height of the vertebra is less than 50%.
2. Height is reduced by about half.
3. Vertebra becomes lower by more than half.

Fractures of 2 and 3 degrees can lead to the formation of the transverse process, disk herniation, spondylosis, with the development of osteophytes and sciatica. The spine becomes unstable, so it can be sideways (scoliosis) or thoracic (kyphosis) is a deformity, and chronic pain syndromes.

Rib fractures are rare, since their cause is usually direct trauma. Such deformations do not cause severe pain, so the patients decide not to go to the doctor. This leads to complications, cure much harder than the rib fracture in its early stages.

First aid, treatment and rehabilitation

When it comes to damage to the spine, one should not underestimate first aid. Their effectiveness often depends on the rehabilitation period and in some cases the very life of the patient. Improper first aid, by contrast, can lead to complications and even death.

First aid after the fracture is in the correct laying and transportation of the patient. It is performed only in the supine position on your back on a hard surface. Putting the victim on a stretcher is synchronous at least three people.

In No event it is impossible to forcibly lift the victim or to try to mend the damaged vertebrae.

When compression fracture of the spine is used conservative or surgical treatment.

Conservative measures include the introduction of bracing and pain medication, with full immobilizationspine. Daily diet should be selected in accordance with the method of treatment and usually includes nuts, cheese, prunes, green vegetables and dairy products.

disorders of spinal cord use medicines that improve the metabolic processes of the tissues of the body. These include:

• Tiocetam;
• Dialpan;
• Pentoxifylline
• Actovegin.

In severe spinal cord injuries often need surgical measures. Operations typically include removal of debris and plastic surgery (replacement of the damaged vertebra with a special prosthesis from the bone tissue or synthetic materials).

After About 3 months the damaged vertebrae are fused. At this time the patient displayed motor activity, namely the special exercises included in the complex therapeutic exercises. Along with these exercises, used physical therapy (phonophoresis, magnetic therapy, muscle stimulation by electric current). At the speed of rehabilitation has a positive effect on climate the best in mud.