Spine fractures are one of the most dangerous types of fractures. The bony cage that protects the spinal cord from injury from the exterior is damaged, thus increasing the chances of neurological damage resulting in weakness of limbs. The most common causes are fall from height and road traffic accidents. The pathological spine, i.e., in patients with osteoporosis, bone tumours etc., can sustain fractures even with very trivial injury.

These fractures require emergency treatment in special orthopaedic centres. Depending on the neurological deficit and the condition of the patient, surgery will be planned. There are a group of stable fractures with lower chance of neurological deficit — fracture healing is good. These fractures can be treated conservatively. Non-operative management generally includes complete bed rest for 48-72 hours or up to 3 weeks depending on the fracture pattern, along with bracing support for another three months.

In cases of neurological deficits or unstable fracture patterns, operative treatment is required, usually involving stabilizing the fractured bone with special titanium screws. If this is done to stabilize a fracture alone, the patient will usually walk in around two days. Those with neurological deficits require special techniques to decompress the pressure on the spinal cord. Recovery of the neurological deficit depends on the severity of the problem at the time of injury, the rule of thumb being the lesser the deficit at the time of injury, faster will be the recovery to an average level after surgery.

Restoring mobility and rendering patients ambulate is extremely important. Untreated, these severe injuries can result in pneumonia, bed sore, block in blood vessels (DVT), urinary tract infections, etc., which can eventually cause risk to life.

CT scan and X-ray of unstable burst fracture D12 vertebrae. The third picture shows restoration of fractured bone by special titanium screw technique.

CT scan and X-ray of unstable burst fracture D12 vertebrae. The third picture shows restoration of fractured bone by special titanium screw technique.