A spinal fracture is a medical term used to describe a break in one or more vertebrae, the 33 bones that form the spinal column. Spinal fractures are commonly caused by osteoporosis and trauma, such as falls, sports injuries, or motor vehicle accidents.
Most cases of spinal fractures do not require surgery and can be managed with the use of a spinal brace for several months. However, in severe or unstable spinal fractures, surgical treatment may be necessary to restore spinal structure and prevent further complications.
Contents
What Causes Spinal Fractures?
Several factors can lead to spinal fractures, including:
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis causes a gradual loss of bone density and strength over time. This condition makes bones more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures, including fractures of the spine.
- Trauma: Trauma places significant stress on the bones. Although the spine is flexible and designed to move with the body, sudden and intense forces—such as those from traffic accidents or sports injuries—can exceed its tolerance and result in spinal fractures.
- Spinal Tumors: Most spinal tumors are caused by cancer metastasis, where cancer spreads from another part of the body to the spine. These tumors can weaken the spinal structure and increase the risk of fractures.
Symptoms of Spinal Fractures
Common symptoms of spinal fractures include:
- Back pain: Sharp and intense pain in the back that may worsen over time, especially when walking or moving
- Swelling or tenderness: The area around the fractured vertebrae may be swollen and painful to the touch
- Postural changes: New changes in spinal posture, such as stooping or leaning forward
- Tingling or numbness: A tingling or numb sensation in the back that may radiate to the arms or legs
- Loss of height: Gradual and noticeable loss of height over time, sometimes by several centimeters
Treatment for Spinal Fractures
Treatment for spinal fractures depends on several factors, including the cause of the fracture, the type of fracture, and the location of the injured vertebrae.
Most spinal fractures do not require surgery. Common treatment options include:
- Spinal bracing: Patients may need to wear a back brace to keep the spine properly aligned and support healing. Braces are typically worn for several months, as recommended by the doctor.
- Physical therapy: Exercises aimed at strengthening the back muscles can improve overall strength, help reduce bone loss, and lower the risk of future spinal fractures. Physical therapy may be performed with a therapist or through guided home exercises.
- Osteoporosis management: If the spinal fracture is caused by osteoporosis, doctors may prescribe medications or supplements to strengthen bones and prevent recurrent fractures.
In cases of severe trauma, emergency room medical teams will prioritize treatment based on injury severity, especially if there are life-threatening conditions.
Spinal Fracture Surgery
Surgery may be required if a spinal fracture threatens the spinal cord or if pain does not improve after several months of non-surgical treatment. The most common surgical procedures for spinal fractures are vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
- Vertebroplasty: During vertebroplasty, the surgeon injects special liquid bone cement into the fractured vertebra to strengthen its structure.
- Kyphoplasty: Kyphoplasty is similar to vertebroplasty, but before injecting the cement, the surgeon inserts a small balloon into the fractured vertebra. The balloon is inflated to restore the vertebra’s height and create space, which is then filled with bone cement.
Recommended Orthopedic Spine Specialist for Spinal Fractures
If you are looking for an orthopedic spine consultant to treat spinal conditions, including spinal fractures, dr. Mohammad Fachry Lubis, Sp.OT-(K) is one of the recommended specialists. He practices at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri and is known for his comprehensive approach to managing various spinal cases.
dr. Fachry completed his medical degree at the University of Sumatera Utara and continued his training as an orthopedic specialist and spine consultant subspecialist at the University of Indonesia. To maintain high standards of medical care, he regularly participates in national and international courses and training programs, including:
- AO Spine Asia Pacific Cadaveric, Sydney (2017)
- AO Trauma Chengdu (2016)
- Paris Shoulder Course (2017)
- North America Spine Society, Bali (2017)
- AO Spine Advance, Jakarta (2017)
With this background, dr. Fachry is experienced in treating various spinal conditions, such as:
- Pinched nerves
- Scoliosis
- Spinal instability or slippage
- Tumors affecting spinal nerves
- Spinal fractures
- Sports-related spinal injuries
- Pain and tingling radiating from the lower back to the legs
- Pain radiating from the neck to the head
- Buttock pain
- Back and lower back pain
dr. Fachry’s Practice Schedule at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri
dr. Mohammad Fachry Lubis, Sp.OT-(K) is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri on:
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM (WIB)
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (WIB)
- Friday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (WIB)
- Saturday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (WIB)
Patient Testimonials and Treatment Experiences
At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, dr. Fachry has treated many patients with various spinal conditions. Below are some patient testimonials:
To make your visit to Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri easier, you can use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter application, available for download on Google Play and the App Store. These services help simplify appointment booking, queue monitoring, and access to complete medical information.
