Your spine is the primary foundation for your trunk, head, and neck. Thus, it is important for sustaining bodily architecture, sending and receiving nerve impulses, and stabilizing essential musculature. As a result, it serves numerous key roles in physiological function, implying any issues impacting the spine might be difficult to discover and treat. Although ranging from mild breaks to severe fractures, spinal fractures are one of the most distressing spine disorders, posing a risk of paralysis or fatality. Dr. George Kakoulides offers outstanding care by integrating cutting-edge technology with surgical expertise. If you require professional West Islip spine fracture treatment, call the George Kakoulides, MD office, or book an appointment online today.
What is a Spinal Fracture, and What Are the Common Causes?
A spinal fracture is a break or displacement of the vertebrae that could happen anywhere along the spine. Numerous spinal fractures are triggered by trauma or damage sustained in car crashes, sports, falls, or other high-velocity impacts. These incidents could result in various injuries, from minor ligament and muscle strains to more catastrophic fractures and spinal cord damage.
Other conditions responsible for spine fractures include:
- Osteoporosis
- Spine tumors
- Inherent issues that cause vertebrae weakness
Mild spine fractures could be treated with medicine and rest therapy. Nonetheless, more serious fractures may necessitate surgery to realign the bones. If they remain unattended, spinal fractures could result in irreversible spinal cord injury, paralysis, and nerve loss.
Common examples of spinal fractures include:
- Compression fracture
- Chance fracture
- Axial burst fracture
What Are the Common Symptoms of Spinal Fractures?
Symptoms of a spinal fracture are different from one patient to another based on the location and seriousness of the injury. Not every fracture causes a spinal cord injury, and the spinal cord is rarely fully destroyed.
One of the most prevalent indicators of a spinal fracture is back discomfort that intensifies with activity. Other symptoms include:
- Numbness or tingling
- Limb weakness or paralysis
- Bowel or urinary incontinence
- Unmanageable muscle spasms
If you lose consciousness because of high-impact activity, you should seek emergency assessment and care.
How to Diagnose Spine Fractures?
Spine fractures necessitate emergency assessment care. Based on your injuries, other diagnostic testing your specialist might suggest include:
- CT scan of the spine to look at abnormalities in the bone structure
- X-rays to look for fractures or aberrant spine movement
- MRI scan to determine soft tissue damage to discs and ligaments and detect spinal cord injury
What is the Treatment for Spinal Fractures?
Whenever a person suffers a spinal fracture, the very first step in addressing the injury is to immobilize the person; thus, avoiding sustaining additional injuries. This procedure can be performed using a cervical collar, backboard, or stretcher.
After stabilization, your specialist will establish if surgery is required based on the location and seriousness of the spinal fracture. Mild fractures could be corrected with non-invasive options like bracing, time, and rest therapy.
For patients with unstable fractures, surgery (kyphoplasty) may be suggested to alleviate stress on the spine and stabilize your spine.
Do not delay your visit to a neurosurgeon following a spinal fracture! Contact George Kakoulides, MD, over the phone or use the online booking tool to request an appointment right away.
