Fracture of the spine - a severe trauma, radically changing the fate of a person

The spine is the basis of the musculoskeletal system, the "core" of the human skeleton. Its damage can lead to very serious consequences up to a lethal outcome. Therefore, any damage requires immediate reference to a specialist.

The spine consists of 4 parts: sacral, lumbar, thoracic, cervical. The upper sections consist of more fragile vertebrae than the lower ones, so their damage is more dangerous. Each of the vertebrae consists of a body, an arch, one spinous, four articular and two transverse processes. There are damages as one of these components, and complex, numerous fractures.

The most common causes of injury to the skeleton support are falls from height, car accidents, unsuccessful jumps in the water. Often a fracture of the spine occurs in the elderly, and such a serious injury appears in such seemingly insignificant cases as lifting weights, an unsuccessful fall on a slippery surface. This is explained by the fact that with age, the bones become more brittle and brittle. Prevention of such accidents is the reception of a complex of vitamins, enriching bones with calcium.

Fracture of the spine: Species

The most common compression injuries associated with a decrease in height ("flattening") of one or more vertebrae.

The most dangerous are comminuted or explosive fractures: fragments of the body of the vertebra, its processes or arch can damage soft tissues (ligaments, muscles, nerve roots, intervertebral discs, spinal cord). It is these traumas that lead to paralysis, paresis and death.

Fracture of the spine: symptoms

In severe injuries, there is a sharp pain, from which there is a loss of consciousness. With damage to the nerve processes and spinal cord, there is a violation of sensitivity and lack of motor functions below the level of damage (paralysis, paresis). Accordingly, control over the work of the pelvic organs is lost. If the cervical and thoracic parts are damaged, a loss of breath may occur.

There are cases when a fracture of the spine is not detected due to certain reasons. In this case, a person may not be aware of the injury. Symptoms of undiagnosed damage can be permanent or recurrent pain in the place of injury, a decrease in the growth of the injured person, curvature of the spinal column, numbness of the limbs, impaired functions of the intestine and the genitourinary system.

First aid

A person who has been seriously injured should not be disturbed until the arrival of medical personnel. However, in some cases, for example, if a spinal fracture occurs as a result of an unsuccessful jump in the input, first aid is necessary. The victim should be taken out of the water by two or three. This is necessary to maintain the body in the most immobile state. Before the arrival of the medical personnel of a person injured, you should put on a hard surface (preferably on a stretcher or self-made shield).

It is strictly forbidden to pull the victim by the legs or hands, plant it. You can not attempt to repair the damage yourself.

Fracture of the spine: treatment

The main treatment is rest and stay in a horizontal position. Depending on the complexity of the injury, surgical treatment may be necessary. During the operation, compression is removed and fixation of the damaged vertebra occurs.

Conservative treatment includes adherence to bed rest, you may need to put gypsum or wear special fixing corsets.

After the consolidation of the fracture, a rehabilitation course may be required, the basis of which is exercise therapy, a complex of physiotherapy and massage.