Fractures

Fractures can lead to long-term problems if not treated quickly and expertly. That’s why it’s important to trust your care to an experienced team. At St. Joseph’s, our Spine Surgery Program offers the latest treatments for expert care of spine fractures.

What is a Spine Fracture?

A spine fracture may be caused by a minor fall or serious trauma. Painful compression fractures can even be the result of spine arthritis. 

Most spine fractures require treatment. But severe injuries that threaten the stability of the spine or spinal cord injury require emergency treatment.

Symptoms of Spine Fracture

The telltale sign of a spine fracture is back pain that starts suddenly and lasts for days. See your doctor if you experience severe, constant pain.

Other symptoms of decompression fractures include:

  • Decreased height
  • Changes in posture

How is a Spine Fracture Diagnosed

If your doctor suspects you have a spine fracture, you will need to undergo one or more imaging tests so your doctor can evaluate your injury and its location. These include:

  • X-ray: Imaging test that takes pictures of your bones to find signs of damage
  • MRI: Imaging test that takes pictures of your spinal disc and nerves
  • CT: Imaging test that takes X-rays from multiple angles around your body to create a more detailed picture.

Treatments for Spine Fractures

A severe fracture is a medical emergency. If you suspect your or a loved one has suffered a severe spinal injury, call 9-1-1 immediately.

There are many treatment options for minor fractures and compression fractures. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Bracing: A brace can stabilize your spine, allowing the fracture to heal
  • Spinal fusion: Surgical procedure that fuses together damaged bones
  • Kyphoplasty: Surgical procedure that inserts a balloon-like device into the bone and then fill it with bone cement to stabilize compression fractures
  • Complex spinal reconstruction: Procedure that stabilizes the spine with rods and pins

Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques to repair fractures, including a minimally invasive approach for kyphoplasty. Learn more about minimally invasive spine surgery at St. Joseph’s.

Contact Us

For more information or for a physician referral, please call (813) 644-4322.