Many people in West Islip, NY, suffer from back pain, but most are unaware of a spine fracture. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you likely have a spine fracture: unexplained back or leg pain with no injury history and sudden onset of severe back or leg pain, worsening over time. It could be that numbness in your legs and feet for more than 24 hours without other explanation. A visit to your West Islip spine fracture specialist can provide a definitive diagnosis and solution to your problem.
What are the Symptoms of a Spine Fracture?
There are numerous symptoms that a spine fracture can cause. However, most people will not experience all of them even though they have a fracture. Among the most common symptoms include back pain which worsens when standing or walking for some time and improves while lying down. Leg numbness or weakness may also be present.
What are the Most Common Causes of a Spine Fracture?
Spine fractures can occur because of direct impact to the spine or adjacent bones in the upper and lower back, falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, physical assaults, and work-related injuries. Sometimes they can be caused by the gradual weakening of muscles, ligaments, and bones due to osteoporosis or tumors.
How is a Spine Fracture Diagnosed?
Physical examination by your spine fracture specialist will help determine the location and type of injury as well as the severity of it. Many tests, including x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, may be required to diagnose a spine fracture correctly. Sometimes, nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) can also help determine the severity and location of a spinal fracture.
Treatment of Spine Surgery
Treatment of spine fractures will depend on the severity and location. If surgery is needed, it will be performed in the center. Surgery may involve plate fixation, bone grafts, vertebral realignment, disc replacement, or decompression. Bracing is common during these procedures to help reduce any deformity.
Your specialist may use a minimally invasive treatment called kyphoplasty. This is an excellent option for patients who want to restore vertebral height using special cement. The success rate of kyphoplasty is 97%, with decreased postoperative morbidity, hospital stay, and cost compared to open surgery.
In some cases, a back brace fitting may come before or after surgery to help reduce your pain and speed up your recovery time. However, the average duration of treatment for spine fractures is about 6 to 12 weeks.
Recommendations for Patients with Spine Fractures
If surgery is the primary treatment option, you’ll get guidance on physical therapy to improve the strength and movement of your back and legs. You will also likely need to wear a brace during recovery, and you should take pain medications that your spine fracture specialist prescribed. You may also need to avoid any strenuous activity for at least 6 to 12 weeks following surgery.
A spine fracture is a type of injury that can cause significant pain and discomfort. A visit to a spine specialist can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need so you can feel better as soon as possible. They may consider bracing and treatments such as kyphoplasty, which bring promising results.