SPINE FRACTURES in Turkey

The spine consists of 33 bones called vertebrae, which are connected to each other by soft tissue, joints and cushions. These vertebrae form the support structure that allows our body to stand upright and move in all directions.

For some reasons, fractures of the spine can also occur. Some of these fractures do not require surgery. However, some require immediate treatment.

What Are the Causes of Spine Fractures?

When a force is applied to the spine in the body, such as hitting or falling, the bone in the spine may not be able to carry the load. This causes the spine to be crushed and fractured. If the compression in the spine is light, less pain and minimal deformation are experienced. Spinal fractures are also seen after high-energy traumas such as traffic accidents or falling from a height.

Spinal fractures are seen as a special type that results from the problem of osteoporosis, which causes the bones to lose their strength. Spinal fractures are also seen due to bone weakness in activities performed in daily life or in later ages.

If people experience traumas affecting the spinal cord and nerve roots, severe pain may be experienced. This causes kyphosis in a short time. Since the bones of patients with osteoporosis are weaker, this is among the common risk factors for fractures, especially spinal fractures.

What Are the Symptoms of Spinal Fractures?

Early symptoms of spinal fractures vary according to the severity of the injury. Therefore, everyone can change these symptoms. Neck, back and low back pain and muscle spasm are the main findings. In spinal cord injuries, complaints such as weakness in the arms and legs, stool and urinary incontinence and loss of strength are also seen.

If adequate treatment is not applied in patients without nerve injury, hump formation may occur in the spine. In addition, severe pain is the most common complaint. Patients with nerve injuries may also encounter important problems such as paralysis. The most prominent symptom in spinal cord fractures is pain. Spinal fracture can be detected in patients who have suffered trauma or have pain in any part of it.

What are the Treatments for Spinal Fractures?

Different treatment methods are applied in spinal fractures. Treatment methods applied in spinal fractures are as follows:

• Corset and plaster treatment: Corset or plaster treatment is applied to patients in compression fractures, spinal cord injuries and soft connective tissue injuries.
• Instrumentation and Fusion: It is the fixation and freezing of the broken spine using metal parts. With this procedure, it is necessary to freeze the spine from both sides, as it is done from the front or back.
• Vertebroplasty-Kyphoplasty: It is the treatment method applied in compression fractures, fractures caused by osteoporosis or tumor.
• Decompression: With this method, nerve damage is removed. Tissues such as bones, ligaments and discs that press on nerve tissues are removed.
• Stabilization: It is a treatment method in which screws and rods are used to correct fractures in the spine.

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