What is a Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fracture?
The backbone is made of small bones arranged from the neck down to the buttocks, one above the other. The region at the chest and lower back are called the thoracic and lumbar spine, respectively. These are the two regions commonly affected by a fracture.
Causes of a Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fracture
Thoracic and lumbar spine fractures frequently occur due to high-velocity accidents, falls from a height or a violent blow. They may also occur in cases of osteoporosis or a tumor where the bone is weakened.
Symptoms of a Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fracture
A thoracic or lumbar fracture is associated with moderate to severe back pain. Fractures of the vertebral column may be associated with injury to the underlying spinal cord, causing pain, tingling sensation, numbness, weakness, and bowel, and bladder dysfunction.
Diagnosis of a Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fracture
Injury to the thoracic and lumbar spine may be assessed by a physical examination, neurological tests, and imaging studies that help identify the nature and extent of the fracture.
Treatment of a Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fracture
Thoracic and lumbar spine fractures are usually treated with bracing for 6 to 12 weeks with a gradual increase in activity. Surgery is performed in cases of displacement of fractures, and significant injury to the adjoining ligaments, intervertebral discs or nerves. Your doctor makes an incision in your front, side or back, realigns your bones with screws, rods or cages, and releases the compressed spinal cord or nerves. This is followed by stabilization of the fracture. Surgery is followed by rehabilitation to alleviate pain and regain mobility.
Related Topics:
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spine Trauma
- Spinal Infection
- Spinal Tumors
- Spine Arthritis
- Spinal Instability
- Spinal Injuries at Work
- Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Spinal Fractures
- Fracture of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine
- Disc Herniation
- Spine Deformities
- Spondylodiscitis
- Isthmic spondylolisthesis
- Arm Pain of Spinal Origin
- Cervicogenic Headache
- Spinal Compression Fractures
- Spine Disorders
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Benign Spinal Tumors
- Spondylolysis
- Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Facet Joint Arthritis
- Trigeminal Neuralgia
- Tarlov Cysts
- Tethered Cord Syndrome
- Spine Injuries in Athletes
- Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Kyphosis
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Scheuermann's Kyphosis
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Adjacent Segment Disc Disease
- Chordoma
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Spondyloarthropathies
- Lordosis
- Neck and Back Injuries
- Proximal Junctional Kyphosis
- Pathological Fractures of the Spine
- Poor Balance
- Spina Bifida
- Difficulty Walking
- Peripheral Nerve Compression
- Sagittal Imbalance
- Adult Degenerative Scoliosis
- Discitis
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
- Neuromuscular Scoliosis
- Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Spine Bone Spurs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Epidural Abscess
- Whiplash
- Mid-back Pain
- Metastatic Tumors
- Osteoporotic Fractures
- Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
- Adult Kyphosis-Types and Causes
- Back Pain in Children
- Neck Strains and Sprains
- Radiculopathy
- Osteoporosis of the Spine
- Degenerative Spinal Conditions
- Disc changes