spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood

A spine injury  fracture is typically a serious injury that occurs when the integrity of the vertebrae (bones of the spine) is compromised, either by physical trauma or by a medical condition like osteoporosis (low bone density). Physicians use three main classifications for spine injury fractures in order to document the pattern of injury: 1) flexion fracture pattern (when one side of the vertebra loses height, usually from a fall from height), 2) extension fracture pattern (when the vertebra is pulled apart, such as in a car accident), and 3) rotation fracture pattern (severe rotation of the vertebra and surrounding soft tissues). A spinal injury fracture may also be further classified based on whether it ishas affected the integrity of the spinal cord.

If a spine injury fracture is suspected, immediate medical attention is advised. The spine serves as the seat of almost all everyday movement, and if its structure is compromised, the injury can have long-term effects on a patient’s mobility. The situation is particularly dangerous if the displacement of vertebral bone shards have compressed or otherwise injured the spinal cord, which is a structure that houses the central spinal nerves that run the length of the spinal column. These spinal nerves control sensation and voluntary muscle control for much of the body. If the spinal cord suffers sufficient physical trauma from a fracture pattern, the patient may be paralyzed in all the regions of the body that received information from the spinal nerves below the injury site.

spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood

Spine injury fracture may involve several types of fracture, described as compression fracture, osteoporotic compression fracture, burst fracture, vertebral compression fracture, pathologic fracture, spinous process fracture, or facet fracture.  Some fractures may be stable, and will heal on their own, while other spine injury fractures will require surgery to stabilize them. Some fractures will create a kyphosis deformity of the spine, in which the patient leans forward.

Unfortunately, physical trauma need not be serious in order for a spine injury fracture to occur. Such an injury often occurs in the course of everyday movement, such as when a patient bends to pick something up or lifts a bag of groceries. Sudden sharp pain may even be accompanied by a loss in height, which can indicate the simultaneous collapse of multiple vertebrae. Compression and distortion of the spinal column can compress the stomach, causing stomach pain and digestive problems. Depending on the type and severity of the fracture pattern, patients may also need surgery. Most efforts to surgically repair spinal fractures also result in lengthy periods of post-operative care, supplemented by physical therapy, rest, and subsequent medical examinations to maximize the chances of a positive recovery.

At the Kraus Back and Neck Instiute (KBNI) in Houston TX, patients are treated for spine injury fractures, whether they are acute or chronic.  Doctors at the KBNI will order the appropriate imaging studies, and guide patients to a path of fracture healing and pain improvement.

The KBNI serves patients throughout the Houston and surrounding areas, including Katy, Sugarland, the Woodlands, Memorial City and Kingwood.

To schedule a visit, patients can

….  Schedule an office visit online at www.SpineHealth.com

….  Call 281-713-6296 to arrange an appointment

Keywords: spine, injury, fracture, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Memorial City, Kingwood