Patient Information Resources


Alpine Physical Therapy
Three Locations
In North, South, and Downtown Missoula
Missoula, MT 59804
Ph: 406-251-2323
Fax: 406-251-2999
Info@AlpinePTmissoula.com






Ankle
Child Orthopedics
Elbow
Foot
General
Hand
Hip
Knee
Pain Management
Shoulder
Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic
Wrist

« Back

The Thin Bone Between a Mid-Back Fracture and Nerve Problems

Posted on: 11/30/1999
If you have osteoporosis, don't wait to treat it. Early treatment can help prevent problems later on. This is the advice of doctors at the Hershey Medical Center in Pennsylvania.

They reviewed many studies of osteoporosis and conducted one of their own. Fractures of the spine from osteoporosis with damage to the spinal cord or nerves were the subject of each study. Most fractures affecting the mid-back from osteoporosis do not cause nerve problems and are safely treated with methods other than surgery. However, the neurologic problems that do occur are hard to treat.

Surgery may be needed to fuse the spine in this area if nerve problems have occurred. With the underlying osteoporosis, more fractures can develop. Often, the pain, weakness, and loss of sensation don't get better. Some patients are left with permanent symptoms. Some even have loss of bowel or bladder function.

The main problem is that these symptoms don't show up right away. Patients can be pain-free without even knowing that they have a fracture in one or more of the vertebrae. It isn't until much later that the bone collapses enough to cause nerve damage. For some patients, by the time symptoms occur, the damage is permanent.

Fortunately, only a small number of older adults have mid-back vertebral fractures with neurologic symptoms. Treatment for more severe injuries like these has up to a 70 percent complication rate.

The authors offer some ideas to help prevent worse problems. First, once the osteoporosis is found, drug therapy is important. If treated early with medications, vertebral collapse can sometimes be avoided. Second, doctors must keep trying to find better operations to fix the fractures. Third, a back brace after surgery is advised for anyone having a spinal fusion who also has osteoporosis. The authors conclude by saying that more studies are needed to find better ways to treat this problem.

References:
Hoan-Vu Nguyen, et al. Osteoporotic Vertebral Burst Fractures With Neurologic Compromise. In Journal of Spinal Disorders. February 2003. Vol. 16. No. 1. Pp. 10-19.

« Back





*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.


All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission.