Medical Conferences

A fracture of the vertebral body, known in professional circles vertebral fracture, caused by external influences or by osteoporosis. Among the external causes, including falls, beatings and even buckling or hyperextension. By osteoporosis, but also in rare cases, cancer changed the bone structure, and the bone becomes more brittle.

Particularly in older people, women, reinforced here, this leads to fractures of the vertebral body without any external influence. In most cases, one or more vertebrae of the cervical spine or at the transition between the thoracic and lumbar spine affected.

Vertebral fractures are divided into different groups. This division into stable and unstable fractures is crucial for the further treatment of the patient. No risk to the spinal cord is in stable fractures. Here, the posterior structures and ligaments are unhurt in the spine. Unstable vertebral fractures involve the risk of spinal cord injuries, with the risk of paraplegia. Here, the posterior structures of the spine are injured, and non-physiological movements of the vertebral body to the side and back are possible.

The diagnosis of vertebral fracture, the doctor makes an inquiry, and he just pays attention to numbness and paralysis, and by an X-ray examination. Often, additional imaging studies initiated to gain a more accurate representation of the injury. The findings are crucial for the further treatment of the injured. With a stable vertebral fracture is arranged according to the findings bed rest and / or a brace for the fixation of the spine.

Furthermore, the patient should receive prescribed physiotherapy exercises for strengthening the back muscles to the muscles that stabilize the spine, to strengthen. In an unstable fracture of the vertebral body is often require surgery. Here are several surgical techniques are available, all with the goal to provide the fracture of the vertebrae, and above all prevent paraplegia. Again, there is often arranged as a supplement physical therapy to strengthen the muscles. In stable and unstable fractures of the vertebral pain relief through medication prescribed by the physician is warranted.

When a suspected vertebral fracture is always look for a stable positioning of the injured, and get medical attention to prevent further damage to the spine and spinal cord.

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