Vertebral Fracture Treatment – Bracing & Surgical Options Available in Freehold & Monroe Township, NJ
A vertebral fracture is a relatively common spinal injury that can result from a fall, vehicle collision, or sports-related accident. Individuals who have weakened bones due to osteoporosis are especially at risk. Because the vertebrae are situated close to the spinal cord, a displaced vertebra can potentially press on sensitive nerve tissue. Therefore, in addition to neck or back pain, a spinal fracture can cause neurological symptoms, such as muscle weakness and tingling sensations that radiate down an arm or leg.
How Is a Vertebral Fracture Treated?
Typically, vertebral fracture treatment begins with pain management and spinal stabilization to help prevent further injuries. Depending on the type and stability of the fracture, bracing and/or a surgical procedure may be considered as well.
Bracing
As a vertebral fracture heals, a brace may be worn for approximately 8-12 weeks to maintain proper spinal alignment and minimize movement. The optimal type of brace will depend on the location of the fracture. For instance, a physician may recommend a rigid cervical collar for a vertebral fracture in the neck, a cervical-thoracic brace for a vertebral fracture in the upper back, or a thoracolumbar-sacral orthosis for a vertebral fracture in the lower back. Additionally, an unstable cervical fracture or dislocation may require traction with a halo ring and vest brace.
Instrumentation & Fusion
To address an unstable vertebral fracture, an instrumentation and fusion procedure may be considered. This type of surgery involves joining a fractured vertebra to an adjacent vertebra using a bone graft that is held in place with plates, rods, or screws. The goal is to increase spinal stability by facilitating the formation of a single, solid piece of bone, which may occur slowly over the course of several months.
Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty
To address a spinal compression fracture caused by osteoporosis, a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be considered to fortify the weakened vertebra. Vertebroplasty involves the use of a hollow needle to inject bone cement into a fractured vertebral body. Kyphoplasty involves the insertion of a “balloon” into a compressed vertebra, after which the balloon is inflated to expand the space before it is filled with bone cement.
Orthopedic Spine Specialists in Freehold & Monroe Township
The board-certified, orthopedic spine surgeons at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute are skilled and experienced in performing advanced, minimally invasive surgical techniques to address vertebral fractures and other spine conditions. We are also committed to treating our patients as conservatively as possible, and we offer a full range of the latest nonsurgical treatments, including bracing and physical therapy.
To learn more about vertebral fracture treatment, contact AOSMI to schedule a consultation with a spine specialist at our state-of-the-art orthopedic center in Freehold or Monroe Township, New Jersey.
