SPINAL FRACTURE TREATMENT
Individuals can experience spinal fractures due to various reasons from external impacts. These fractures are often caused by falling, accidents, or making a wrong movement. Bones that are fragile due to their bone structure or if the patient has bone resorption, may prepare the ground for fractures to occur. These fractures, which mainly occur in the thoracic and lumbar spine, can be treated with surgical and non-surgical methods. If left untreated, spinal fractures can make life seriously risky and lead to the development of various symptoms. Therefore, there is usually a need for urgent intervention in spinal fractures.
What are Spinal Fractures?
Spinal fractures are breaks that occur on the spine due to abnormal pressure formation. Along with these fractures, there can be severe damage to the bone structure, joint and ligament ruptures, and damage to the spinal cord and nerves, leading to serious risks for the patient. Spinal fractures in advanced ages are often caused by osteoporosis (bone erosion). In patients with bone erosion, spinal fractures can be observed as a result of simple actions such as coughing, sneezing, or stretching, without the need for a significant impact. As a result of these fractures, patients may experience partial paralysis.
Diagnosis of Spinal Fractures
In cases of spinal fractures, patients are usually brought to the doctor as a result of an accident and are treated. At this stage, the patient’s transfer should be done very carefully. If transferred incorrectly, the break in the patient can create a more serious life risk. The patient should be brought to the doctor by ambulance as soon as possible. In order to diagnose spinal fractures, the patient’s developmental history should be carefully followed and a physical examination should be performed. At this stage, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and radiography are used to detect fractures and diagnose.
How do Spinal Fractures Occur?
Spinal fractures can occur as a result of serious blows and traumas, during sports, in traffic accidents, in patients with bone erosion, and in people with spinal tumors, depending on the effect of these. There are three different types of spinal fractures that occur.
1. Compression Fracture
Compression fracture is a fracture that occurs due to the involvement of the front wall of the spine. The canal where the spinal cord is located does not suffer damage in this fracture. This type of fracture usually occurs in older individuals as a result of bone erosion.
2. Burst Fracture
A burst fracture is a type of fracture that occurs when the spinal canal wall is also damaged by the impact, creating a life-threatening risk. Damage to the spinal cord and nerves may occur. It typically occur by a strong impact on the spine.
3. Fractured dislocation
A fracture-dislocation, which can occur due to an accident and causes damage to joints and ligaments, results in a protrusion and displacement of bones along with the impact. In this situation, the spinal cord and nerves can be severely affected.
4. Vertebroplasty / Kyphoplasty
Vertebral fractures are the most common fractures in osteoporotic patients and account for approximately half of all osteoporotic fracture cases. They can occur without trauma or following minor trauma. Whether or not there is severe pain, osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures can cause serious problems in the long term.
5. Posterior Spinal Instrumentation
The spine is made up of bones called “vertebrae.” Strong connective tissues between each vertebra connect one vertebra to the next, and structures called discs act as cushions between them.
Symptoms of Spinal Fractures
Symptoms of spinal fractures can be sudden and severe, making them easy to notice and requiring immediate medical attention. However, sometimes they may occur gradually and be difficult to detect. Common symptoms include:
- Severe and persistent pain in the neck, back and lower back
- Loss of feeling or numbness in the arms and legs
- Difficulty urinating
- Bowel problems
- Curvature of the spine
- Weakness
What methods are used in the treatment of spinal fractures?
In order to restore the spine to its original structure and alleviate the patient’s pain, treatment plans are followed by using surgical and non-surgical methods. In non-surgical methods, bed rest is supported with medication. Here, the patient rests using pain relievers and edema-reducing drugs. At the same time, support is provided to restore the spine’s structure by wearing a hard brace. Regular X-rays are taken and this situation is followed by the doctor. Physical therapy methods can also be applied during this period. Pain is reduced by cold and hot applications. Any muscle movements are not recommended during this period, as increasing fractures can occur, so only exercises that will relieve pain are used.
In cases where fractures are in an advanced stage, surgical operations are applied. Different techniques are used according to the condition of the disease in surgical operations. In cases where the spinal cord is damaged, the parts that compress the spinal cord are cleaned. In collapses caused by fractures, corrections and stabilizations are made with needles. Screws and rods are commonly used in spinal fractures to correct.
Why Choose Us?
At Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye, we have been providing top-quality neurosurgical treatment options for almost a decade under the guidance and leadership of Op. Dr. Özgür Akşan. Our team is comprised of highly experienced and skilled surgeons, including Dr. Özgür Akşan, Dr. Nail Özdemir, and Dr. Feryal Akşan, all of them having more than 20 years of experience in medicine.
We offer a wide range of treatment options for various neurosurgical conditions, including herniated discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, cervical disc herniation, Chiari malformation, carpal tunnel syndrome, and more. Our team is highly skilled in performing advanced neurosurgical procedures, such as microsurgical discectomy, endoscopic discectomy, spinal fusion instrumentation, craniotomy, craniectomy, gamma-knife radiation therapy, and many more.
At Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye, we are committed to providing personalized care and tailored treatment plans for each patient based on their unique needs and medical history. Our clinic in Izmir is equipped with the latest technology and we are working with private hospitals with state-of-the-art facilities to ensure the highest level of care for our patients.
Choose Dr Özgür Akşan – Health Türkiye for your neurosurgical needs and experience the expertise and care of our highly trained team of neurosurgeons, led by Dr. Özgür Akşan himself.