What is a Spinal Fracture?
Spinal fractures are usually caused by trauma (a body wound produced by sudden physical injury) such as car accidents and falls. They are most commonly seen between the middle and lower back. Depending on the severity they can cause spinal instability, spinal cord injuries and severe pain. Other types of spinal fractures are due to underlying conditions affecting the vertebrae (spinal bones), e.g. osteoporosis.
Symptoms
Moderate to severe back pain is the main symptom, normally aggravated by movement. If the spinal cord has been affected, there may be numbness, pins and needles, muscle weakness and bowel problems also present. Due to the traumatic nature of spinal fractures, other injuries are commonly seen masking these types of fractures.
Treatments
The use of a Rigid Spinal Orthosis is normally recommended to protect the spine and immobilize it in the correct position until the bones heal, which can take between 6 to 12 weeks. A Thoraco Lumbar Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) is normally prescribed.
