How serious is a burst fracture?

How serious is a burst fracture?

A burst fracture is a serious injury; it typically requires immediate hospitalization and treatment. If the burst fracture is not severe, i.e. has not led to neurological and/or structural compromise, then the doctor may initiate a nonoperative approach.

Are all burst fractures unstable?

Results. Total 233 patients (131 men, 102 women) were included in this study. In Denis classification, 51 patients (21.9%) diagnosed as stable burst fracture while 182 patients (78.1%) had unstable burst fracture. According to TLICS, 72 patients (30.9%) scored less than 4, while 161 patients (69.1%) scored 4 or more.

How do you get a burst fracture?

A burst fracture is a spinal injury where the vertebra breaks due to immediate and severe compression. Immediate trauma such as a car accident or a severe fall are the leading causes for burst fractures with pieces of the vertebra shattering into surrounding tissues and sometimes the spinal canal.

Can a burst fracture be pathological?

Pain with traction and the sudden onset of symptoms prompted further investigation with plain film imaging of the cervical spine. This identified a pathological burst fracture in the C4 vertebrae.

What is a burst fracture?

Burst fractures are a type of compression fracture related to high-energy axial loading spinal trauma that results in disruption of a vertebral body endplate and the posterior vertebral body cortex. Retropulsion of posterior cortex fragments into the spinal canal is frequently included in the definition.

What is a burst fracture with Retropulsion?

What is a teardrop fracture?

A flexion teardrop fracture occurs when flexion of the spine, along with vertical axial compression, causes a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of the vertebral body. This fragment is displaced anteriorly and resembles a teardrop (see the image below).

What is burst fracture radiology?

Can compression fractures cause paralysis?

Unlike many other spinal injuries, a compression fracture is highly unlikely to cause paralysis, and can be relatively pain-free if treated properly.

What is an l1 burst fracture?

If a vertebra is crushed in all directions, the condition is called a burst fracture. Burst fractures are much more severe than compression fractures. The bones spread out in all directions and may damage the spinal cord.

What is a burst fracture in the spine?

Spaces between the vertebrae allow nerves to pass from the spinal cord to various parts of the body. A compression fracture is a condition in which a vertebra is crushed only in the front part of the spine, causing a wedge shape. If a vertebra is crushed in all directions, the condition is called a burst fracture.

Can a spinal fracture cause paralysis?

Minor fractures of the spine can be healed with rest and medication, however, more severe fractures might require surgery to realign the bones. If left untreated, spinal fractures can lead to permanent spinal cord injury, nerve damage and paralysis.