Anatomy of Back - Spinal Fracture Flashcards
What are the several types of spinal fractures?
Compression #
Burst #
Flexion-distraction #
Fracture dislocation
If a spinal fracture is only in one column is it stable or unstable ?
Stable
If a spinal fracture is in two collums is it stable or unstable ?
Unstable
What does estrogen do to bone activity?
Increase production of osteoblasts
Why may post-menopausal women be more likely to have osteoporosis ?
due to decreased oestrogen, which is important for osteoblast production.
what is a burst fracture ?
A burst fracture is an injury in which the vertebra, the primary bone of the spine, breaks in multiple directions.
What is a compression spinal fracture ?
A vertebral bone is lost or decreased by 15% in height due to fracture.
Usually, in the anterior column
Usually, it happens due to trauma or osteoporosis.
what is a Flexion-distraction #
Also, known as a seatbelt fracture, as you have been forced into flexion and then all of a sudden stopped.
Unstable
What is a spinal fracture dislocation ?
Any fracture, but the vertebrae have moved from where it is supposed to be.
Unstable
What is this?
This is a compression fracture.
See, the vertebral body has lost height from the one above it.
eg due to osteoporosis.
What is this ?
Burst fracture.
Breaks in multiple places and the vertebral body has moved forward.
What is this ?
Burst fracture
What is this ?
Compression fracture
Posterior is larger than the anterior
What is this ?
Compression fracture
How to manage a compression fracture ?
- Control Pain
- Potentially Vertebral plasty; however, not everyone will be a candidate for this.
