The spine is the body’s central support structure that connects different parts of the musculoskeletal system. It allows you to walk, stand, sit, bend, and twist. A spine fracture, therefore, can have serious consequences.
If you have a spinal fracture, you might be wondering where to turn to for help. Fortunately, at Injury Medicine, the spine is one of our areas of expertise. We can offer you the best spine fracture treatment in Spartanburg to let you quickly move around again, pain-free.
Call our Spartanburg injury center today at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment to discuss possible treatment options for your spine fracture.
What Is a Spinal Fracture?
A spinal fracture occurs when an outside force applies too much pressure to the bones in the spine. In most instances, the front part of the spine collapses but the posterior maintains its height. Spinal fractures can lead to noticeable spinal deformities such as a hunched back, especially when occurring in multiple vertebrae.
If the spinal cord is damaged, it can lead to paralysis.
What Causes Spinal Fractures?
Spinal fractures can be caused by trauma or by conditions that weaken the bones, such as:
Trauma
A traumatic event can put too much pressure on the spine, and the vertebra can break since they are unable to withstand the force. The trauma can cause the body to move in extreme ways, putting a lot of strain on the spine.
Examples of trauma that can cause spinal fractures include:
- Sports Injuries
- Falls
- Car Accidents
- Violent Acts (e.g. Being Shot)
Conditions That Weaken Bones
If a condition such as bone cancer or osteoporosis weakens the bones in your spine, you face a greater risk for spinal fractures. If you have weak bones, even a simple movement such as picking up a bag of groceries is enough to cause a fracture.
Examples of conditions that weaken bones include:
- Bone Cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Spinal Tumors
What Types of Injuries Cause Spinal Fractures?
Spinal fractures are a serious orthopedic injury primarily resulting from high-velocity impacts, which include:
- Sports Injuries
- Falling from a Height
- Car or Motorcycle Accidents
- Violent Acts (Assault or Gunshot Wound)
What Treatments Are Available at Injury Medicine for Spinal Fractures?
At Injury Medicine in Spartanburg, SC, we offer a wide selection of treatments for spinal fractures, which include but aren’t limited to:
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a procedure that involves injecting bone cement into the collapsed vertebra. The injected cement quickly hardens, stabilizes the fracture, relieves pressure, and prevents further collapse of the vertebra.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty with the only difference being that a deflated balloon is first injected into the spine. It is then inflated until it expands to the desired height. The space created is then filled with bone cement.
Braces
Our doctors like to recommend braces for spinal fractures since they provide external support to limit the motion of the fractured vertebrae – much like applying a cast on a broken wrist. The rigid style of a back brace significantly limits motion, which can help reduce pain. However, braces should be used cautiously since muscle loss and weakening can occur with excessive use of braces for lumbar support.
Medication Management
Spinal fractures can be painful and many people often require something to relieve the discomfort, especially during the period immediately after the fracture occurs. Our doctors work with you to prescribe the most appropriate type of pain relief medication for you based on the level of pain you’re experiencing and other types of medication you are currently taking.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks involve injecting steroids and local anesthetics directly into the spinal nerves responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Nerve blocks in the neck and back are particularly effective for patients with vertebral compression fractures. Nerve blocks can also be applied to the joints between cracked vertebrae to relieve pain.
Injections
Steroid injections are a method of chronic pain management that we often prescribe at Injury Medicine. It is an outpatient procedure that involves administering a local anesthetic to the affected area and anti-inflammatory medication to the nerve roots of the spine.
Medicine is delivered by the injections to the area affected directly, which provides pain relief. When steroids are injected into the nerve roots, they help reduce inflammation.
Get Expert Spine Fracture Treatment in Spartanburg!
If you have been dealing with pain due to a spine fracture, you no longer have to continue suffering. At Injury Medicine, we use a variety of treatments including procedures, devices, and medications to relieve pain from a spinal fracture.
Injury Medicine not only treats pain from spinal fractures. We also offer interventional pain management and other types of back pain treatments in Spartanburg, SC. If you need help with spinal pain, call us today at 864-866-PAIN so that our doctors can help you find a customized solution for you.
