Spinal fractures are extremely painful and usually happen when an external force applied to the spine exceeds the vertebral column s ability to bear the load. Many times, the bone fragments pinch and damage the spinal cord, which leads to an injury or dislocation of the bony vertebra. Although spinal fractures can develop anywhere along the spine, the most common site is the lower back.

What causes spinal fractures?

Spinal fractures can occur due to both minor trauma/falls and major accidents. The following are the probable causes of such fractures-

  Injuries sustained while playing a sport
  A traumatic injury
  Spinal instability
  Injuries sustained after falling from a height
  A whiplash
  Injuries sustained in an accident
  An underlying condition such as Osteoporosis, which causes the spinal bones to weaken

Symptoms observed:

Spinal fractures are characterized by the following symptoms-

  Muscle spasm and swelling
  Numbness
  Acute pain that worsens when you walk or stand for a long time
  A tingling sensation
  Restricted mobility of the spinal column
  Spinal deformity/disability
  Sudden onset of pain in the lower back region

What are the various types of spinal fractures?

Spinal fractures primarily fall into four categories, namely the following-

  Compression - Compression fractures are quite common in people with osteoporosis or bone cancer. The bones become fragile and brittle. If sudden force is applied with extreme pressure, the vertebra may not be able to support the load and that may result in a fracture.

  Burst - Severe trauma, such as a car accident can cause burst fractures. The external pressure is so much that the vertebra gets crushed. As a result, the bony fragments spread out and cause spinal cord injury. Unlike a compression fracture, where only a part of the vertebra is damaged, a burst fracture leads to multiple fractures in the vertebra.

  Flexion-distraction - This type of fracture is likely to happen if you are involved in a car accident. Normally, the spine is made to flex forward. However, a sudden jerk that pushes your body forward can put a lot of pressure on the spine and cause the vertebrae to break.

  Fracture-dislocation - This debilitating condition results from a torn ligament and broken bone.

What is the treatment for spinal fractures?

Treatment options for spinal fractures include both non-surgical and surgical methods.

  Non-surgical treatment - Most cases of spinal fractures can be treated with immobilization in a corset or brace for up to 10-12 weeks. Bracing will help prevent deformity and reduce pain.

  Surgical treatment - The doctor may recommend surgery in severe cases. The two standard surgical procedures are-

Vertebroplasty - The surgeon will insert a tube, known as a catheter, into the compressed vertebra. Through the catheter, he/she will inject bone cement into the fracture site. This will harden and stabilize the vertebral column. Vertebroplasty has proved to be an effective procedure to reduce pain. The surgery restores mobility and prevents loss of bone due to bed rest.

Kyphoplasty - During this procedure, the surgeon inserts a catheter into the spinal column under the guidance of an X-ray. Next, he/she makes small incisions along the back and inserts an inflatable bone stamp. The tamp, once inflated, bring back the vertebral body to its original height. It also creates a cavity to be filled with bone cement, which seals the cracks. The bone cement stops the vertebra from collapsing again. After the whole procedure, the surgeon will remove the catheter and stitch the incisions.

Following surgery, you will need to wear a brace for about 6-12 weeks. Physical therapy is strongly recommended initially to help you get back to your daily activities in a week or two.

Spinal Fractures - All You Should Know!

Spinal trauma, also referred to as spinal cord injury, occurs when a section of your spinal cord or the nerves at the edge of your spinal canal is damaged. The spinal cord acts as a messenger between the brain and other parts of your body. If the spine sustains an injury, all or some of these impulses may not get through. This may result in complete loss of mobility and sensation below the site of injury. An injury closer to the neck can cause paralysis throughout a larger part of the body than in the lower back region.

How do such injuries occur?

Often, spinal trauma or injury results from a violent event or an unpredictable accident. The following may severely damage your spinal cord-

  A violent attack (a gunshot or a stabbing)
  A motor vehicle accident that may cause trauma to the neck, back or head
  Falling from a great height
  Spinal or head injuries during some sports activity
  Electrical accidents

What are the signs of a spinal cord injury?

The followings signs and symptoms can be observed after an injury to the spinal cord-

  Difficulty walking
  Restricted movement of the legs and arms
  Stiffness, pressure and intense pain in the neck/back
  Loss of sensation
  Muscle spasms
  Loss of bowel or bladder control
  A twisted neck or back
  Lack of coordination, weakness or paralysis in any of the body part

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience significant trauma to the neck or head, accompanied by the above symptoms, then visit a doctor immediately. Spinal trauma or injuries is a debilitating condition and can deteriorate further if you do not seek medical intervention. In fact, if such an injury is not detected on time, you may have to face more severe complications. For instance, paralysis or numbness may develop immediately or gradually as blood clots and swelling occur in the surrounding region of the spine.

The doctor can detect spinal injuries using any of the following methods-

  CT Scan
  MRI
  X-ray

What is the treatment for spinal trauma?

An orthopaedic will recommend the correct treatment for spinal trauma or spinal cord injuries, depending on the severity of the condition.

  Medications - Intravenous medications can help reduce the pain and symptoms of acute spinal cord injury
  Immobilization - Braces, corsets, or neck collar can help realign and stabilize the spine
  Surgery - Surgery may be performed to remove bone fragments, herniated disks, foreign objects, or fractured vertebrae that are compressing the spine. Surgery also prevents deformity and pain in the long run.

Recovery starts typically within a week after the treatment. If you undergo surgery, you will have to wait a little longer to get back to your day-to-day activities. It is advisable that you follow up with your doctor and carry on physiotherapy for the first six months at least.

Spinal Trauma - When Should You Consult A Doctor?

Disc prolapse   or what is popularly known as a herniated disc   occurs when the soft, rubbery tissues of the spinal discs push through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. It usually results from wear and tear of the spinal discs over time.

Risk Factors-
The following factors may put you at risk of a disc prolapse  
  Genetics   You may have a tendency towards developing a disc prolapse
  Occupation   People who are engaged in physically demanding jobs are more likely to develop back pain
  Weight   Excessive body weight puts pressure on the discs in the lower back

Signs to Watch Out for-
Signs and symptoms of disc prolapsed may include the following  
  Pain in the legs, particularly in the calf, thigh, and buttocks
  Pain in the arms and shoulder that intensify when you sneeze, cough, or even move your spine into certain positions
  Tingling or numbness in the affected areas
  Muscle weakness
  Inability to hold an object

If the pain deteriorates i.e. if the pain shoots down from your back or neck to the extremities, consult a doctor immediately.

Acupuncture for Disc Prolapse-
Although there are certain non-surgical and surgical treatment methods, many healthcare professionals and doctors nowadays recommend acupuncture as an alternative cure.

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that believes that people possess  Chi  or an energy force. When the force is unbalanced or blocked, your body becomes susceptible to illness and pain. Traditional acupuncturists strive to free up these energy channels (known as meridians) by inserting needles into specific points in your body. It activates the release of endorphins in your blood, which acts as natural pain relievers and reduces pain.
The process involves inserting multiple needles, depending on your diagnosis. Most people do not feel pain when the needles are inserted. In fact, they feel relaxed or energized. The acupuncturist will leave the needles in for about 20-40 minutes   this may cause temporary soreness but do not pose serious complications.
Acupuncture can help relieve pain associated with bulging, herniated disc. If you are considering this option, you should visit a complementary and alternative medicine practitioner.

Disc Prolapse - Know How Acupunture Can Help!

Breaking a bone no matter how small is painful. This pain is caused both by the actual break in the bone and the damage to surrounding muscles, ligaments, nerves and other soft tissue. There are three stages of pain caused by a fracture:

Acute Pain: Pain that occurs immediately after a bone is fractured
Sub-Acute Pain: Pain experienced while the one and soft tissues heal
Chronic Pain: Pain experienced after the fracture has healed
Any kind of fracture can cause these types of pain. However, it is not essential for everyone who has had a fracture to experience all the three kinds of pain. Many people experience pain only when the fracture occurs but in few cases, a person may break a bone and not realize it. Each type of pain needs to be dealt with in a different way.

Acute Pain: Acute pain reduces as the fracture heals. For this, the fractured bone must be reset in place and held together with a splint, brace or cast so as to immobilize it. In some cases, surgery may also be needed. Over the counter pain medication is often prescribed to help deal with this type of pain. The patient is also advised to rest the broken bone and avoid certain types of movement that could worsen the break. A broken bone takes a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks to heal. However, in cases of other conditions such as osteoporosis, this time period could be much longer.
Sub-Acute Pain: As the injury heals, the sub-acute pain experienced reduces. Immobilizing a broken bone to help it heal causes the muscles and soft tissues around it to stiffen and weaken thus triggering this type of pain. Physical therapy can be very helpful in dealing with this type of pain. Along with strengthening the muscles and reducing stiffness, physical therapy also helps reduce inflammation and scar tissue. Physical therapy can be provided in many ways including exercises, electrical stimulation, ultrasounds, massage etc. It is important to remember that at this stage of treatment, the more the affected limb is used, the faster it will heal. However, it is advisable to avoid putting too much pressure on the bone.
Chronic Pain: Some people may experience pain for several months and even years after a fracture has healed. This is usually caused by nerve damage or the development of scar tissue. Underlying conditions such as arthritis could also trigger this type of pain. Management of chronic pain varies from individual to individual. Treatment usually takes the form of medication, exercises and physical therapy. It is important not to avoid this type of pain and consult a doctor to ensure that it is not being caused by any other condition.

Fracture Pain - How To Deal With It?

If you have been facing back problems in the form of pain and discomfort for a long time despite undergoing treatment and medications, then you must be wondering whether you should go for a spine surgery. With the advancement in technology in the field of medical surgery, spine surgery has gained popularity owing to its effectiveness and high success rate. However, there are plenty of misconceptions regarding spine surgery, which need to be busted so that people do not make decisions based on these false beliefs.

Here are five myths about spine surgery debunked-

  Myth: Surgery is a must if you have damaged discs.
Fact: Many people live with a herniated disc. It is a fairly common spinal condition. The common belief is that you need to undergo a surgery to fix the problem. However, it is not true. In fact, many people have found relief from back pain following non-surgical methods such as physiotherapy and low-key exercises. These are the initial course of the treatment and usually, the patient sees positive results after the completion of the course.

  Myth: Surgery can relieve you from back pain completely.
Fact: Spine surgery is meant to correct spinal problems by restoring the functioning of your spine and reducing back pain. However, a surgery cannot relieve you from the pain completely. In other words, it cannot fix the problem entirely. There are certain parameters, which you need to correct on your own. These include maintaining a healthy body weight, living a healthy and active life, eating a balanced diet etc. Nevertheless, if the spine problem/injury is diagnosed early, the chances of a successful spine surgery increase.

  Myth: Spine surgery has serious repercussions, and it is not worth a try.
Fact: Like all other types of surgery, spine surgery too has a few risks or side effects associated with it. The most common types include blood clots, infection, weakness, and bleeding. However, these are not as serious as it sounds like. Since most of the surgeries are minimally invasive today, the minor side effects do not last more than a week and recovery takes place sooner. The side effects can also be managed with pain management medications well so the patient need not worry.

  Myth: Visiting a spine surgeon means you will definitely need a surgery.
Fact: Your orthopaedic may advise you to see a spine surgeon if the symptoms of your spine injury/problem become severe. This does not necessarily mean you will have to undergo a surgery. Sometimes, the doctor may schedule an appointment with the surgeon to have a unique perspective of the condition. Surgery is prescribed only as the last resort.

  Myth: Undergoing a surgery once means you will need another one soon.
Fact: If you have gone under the knife once, it does not necessarily mean you will need another surgery soon. Multiple surgical procedures are required only if the patient has sustained complex trauma to the spine. Such cases are rare. Usually, the patient undergoes spine surgery once, following which he/she is provided with a post-operative guideline. The guideline suggests engaging in mild exercises and making vital lifestyle changes to ensure fast recovery.

If you have been suffering from persistent, recurring pain in the back or neck that has altered or affected your quality of life in a negative way, its time you should consult a doctor. Do not hesitate if you need to undergo e a spine surgery urgently. The facts stated above will help clear your mind and eliminate any false belief that you had been holding in.

Spine Surgery - Busting The Myths Around It!

A hand fracture is a condition characterized by broken bones of the hand. The bones in the hand include the bones that are present in the fingers and the wrists. A fracture of the hand tends to occur when you bend or twist your hand in the wrong manner. It may also be caused by injuries related to sports and falls.

Symptoms
Symptoms of swelling and pain are the most common of them all. The range of motion for the affected hand will be reduced as well. The knuckle bone may appear to have been sunken in. Most obviously, it will be difficult in carrying out regular tasks which need the hands.

Therapies
The initial treatment for a hand fracture will be focused on reducing the pain. Pain relieving medications such as ibuprofen will be administered which provides relief from the pain. The next step will be to keep the affected hand immobilized so as not to hamper the recovery process. Once stability is restored, therapeutically relevant exercises are prescribed to help normalize the regular hand movements.

The following exercises are relevant in case of a hand fracture:

Wringing a towel: This is an exercise wherein you wring a towel to improve flexibility and strength in the hand. Simply grab a towel and twist it in both directions; imagine wringing water from the towel.
Rolls of the wrist: Wrist rolls aim to increase the ROM (range of motion) in your wrists and the hands. Hold the hand steady and rotate your wrists both clockwise and anticlockwise. You can also hold a light weight in your hand to make it more challenging.
Prayer stretch: A prayer stretch is another exercise that can help boost your wrist flexibility. You start by positioning the palms together like in a prayer, then hold up the elbows while pushing the hands against each other. You should feel a stretch in your wrists and hands.
Grasping: This is a technique wherein you grasp objects to improve your grip strength. Try gripping objects such as tennis ball or stress balls to get your gripping ability up to normal levels.


4 Effective Therapies Post Hand Fracture!

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