Spinal Fractures and Trauma
What Are Spinal Fractures and Spinal Trauma?
Spinal fractures occur when one or more bones (vertebrae) in the spine break. Spinal trauma is a broader term that includes any injury to the spine, such as fractures, dislocations, or damage to the surrounding soft tissues, discs, ligaments, or spinal cord.
These injuries can range from mild compression fractures to severe injuries that affect stability, nerve function, or spinal cord health. Because the spine protects the spinal cord, injuries in this area require careful evaluation.
At OIBortho, our physicians evaluate and treat spinal fractures and trauma for patients throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties.
Types of Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures can occur in different patterns depending on the cause and severity of injury.
Common types include:
- Compression fractures: the front part of the vertebra collapses, often due to osteoporosis or low-impact injury
- Burst fractures: the vertebra breaks in multiple directions, often from high-energy trauma
- Flexion-distraction fractures: caused by severe forward bending, often in car accidents
- Fracture-dislocations: involve both broken bones and misalignment of the spine
The severity of a fracture depends on whether the spine remains stable and whether nerves are affected.
Symptoms of Spinal Fractures and Trauma
Symptoms can vary widely depending on the location and severity of the injury.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden back or neck pain
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Swelling or tenderness over the spine
- Limited mobility or stiffness
- Numbness or tingling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
- Weakness in the limbs
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Loss of bladder or bowel control (in severe cases)
Severe trauma may also involve spinal cord injury, which can cause neurological symptoms below the level of injury.
Causes and Risk Factors
Spinal fractures and trauma can result from both low-impact and high-impact events.
Common causes include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls (especially in older adults)
- Sports injuries
- High-impact collisions or trauma
- Osteoporosis (weakening of bones)
- Heavy lifting injuries in rare cases
- Violence or direct impact to the spine
Older adults are at higher risk for compression fractures due to reduced bone density.
How Spinal Fractures Are Diagnosed
A physician will perform a detailed physical and neurological exam to assess pain, movement, and nerve function.
Diagnostic imaging may include:
- X-rays
- CT scans (best for detailed bone evaluation)
- MRI scans (to assess spinal cord, discs, and soft tissues)
These tests help determine the type of fracture, stability of the spine, and whether nerves or the spinal cord are involved.
Understanding Spinal Trauma
Spinal trauma is considered serious because it can affect both the structure of the spine and the nervous system. Even when fractures are stable, inflammation or swelling can irritate nearby nerves.
Early diagnosis is important to prevent further injury and to guide safe treatment decisions.
Management and Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the fracture or injury.
Common options include:
- Rest and activity restriction
- Bracing (to stabilize the spine during healing)
- Pain management medications
- Physical therapy during recovery
- Minimally invasive procedures (such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty for compression fractures)
- Surgical stabilization in severe or unstable fractures
The goal of treatment is to stabilize the spine, relieve pain, and protect nerve function.
Why Choose OIBortho?
OIBortho provides expert evaluation and treatment for spinal fractures and traumatic spine injuries. Our physicians use advanced imaging and evidence-based treatment plans to ensure safe recovery and restore function whenever possible.
We serve patients throughout Middlesex, Monmouth, and Ocean Counties with comprehensive orthopaedic spine care close to home.
Call 732-800-9000 to speak with one of our scheduling specialists or click here to schedule online 24/7!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a spinal fracture?
A spinal fracture is a break in one of the bones in the spine (vertebra).
Are spinal fractures always serious?
Some are mild and stable, while others can affect spinal stability or nerves and require urgent treatment.
What causes spinal fractures?
Common causes include falls, car accidents, sports injuries, and weakened bones from osteoporosis.
How do I know if I fractured my spine?
Symptoms may include sudden back or neck pain, difficulty moving, and sometimes numbness or weakness.
Can spinal fractures heal without surgery?
Many compression fractures can heal with bracing, rest, and pain management, depending on severity.
When should I seek immediate care?
You should seek urgent evaluation if you have severe pain, weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control after an injury.