Spinal Trauma

A fracture is a serious spine injury that can cause extensive damage and severe pain. This type of trauma needs to be evaluated immediately by a spine specialist.

THE BASICS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SPINE FRACTURES

A serious spine injury or fracture is not always apparent immediately
A spine fracture can (but doesn’t always) cause damage to the spinal nerves or cord
An immediate assessment can prevent more severe complications from developing
Spine fractures are often due to falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or osteoporosis
It’s important to seek professional help after any significant trauma to the head or neck

SYMPTOMS

Some spine fractures don’t cause pain – even after a trauma or accident. As such, patients may be unaware that they have suffered an injury. That’s why a prompt evaluation is so important.

When symptoms do develop, they are dependent on the location, type, and extent of your injury. The most common sign is severe, sudden pain in the area, which may also be associated with swelling.

If the fracture presses on a nerve or the spinal cord, you may also experience:

Numbness, tingling, or weakness
Muscle spasms
Bowel or bladder issues

Speak With A Specialist

Visit one of our New York locations.

TYPES OF SPINAL FRACTURES

At Long Island Spine Specialists, the two most common spinal traumas we treat are compression fractures and chance fractures.

Here’s what you need to know about these injuries and their treatment options:

Compression Fracture

A compression fracture typically develops due to osteoporosis and other conditions that weaken the bones. The spinal cord and nerves are rarely involved. These fractures may be asymptomatic, or they can cause pain, a loss of height, and a hump in the spine.

In some cases, compression fractures may be treated non-operatively with a brace. If this approach is unsuccessful, our Long Island spine surgeons will perform kyphoplasty to reduce the fracture and stabilize the vertebrae.

To begin this minimally-invasive procedure, we will create a small incision in the area of the injury. Under X-ray guidance, we will insert a narrow tube into the fractured vertebrae and inject bone cement into the cavity. This process creates an internal cast that restores stability.

Chance Fracture

A chance fracture is commonly associated with car accidents. It develops when the body is thrust forward with great force, which places an incredible amount of stress on the spine and can result in a fracture. The main symptom of this injury is severe pain when moving.

Treatment depends on the extent of the fracture. In mild cases, bracing may be sufficient; In more severe cases where the spine is unstable or the spinal cord or posterior ligaments are involved, surgical decompression and stabilization will be necessary. During the procedure, our spine surgeons will stabilize the spine with rods and screws.

Practice Policy Update Regarding COVID-19

Dear Patients:

Our patients, employees and family are our top priority at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

We ask you to not visit any of our locations if you have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing and possible shortness of breath.

Please cancel your appointment and re-schedule once you are feeling better and are no longer suffering with symptoms.

Only non-symptomatic patients will be seen. No exceptions.

Accompanying family members – including children – are asked to remain in the waiting area and will not be allowed to enter the exam rooms.

During this time of high concern regarding the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) we are taking extra precautions to maintain the highest possible standards of safety and cleanliness. Please be advised that we are carefully following recommendations from both the CDC and WHO and are here to help guide you through this time if needed.

Some steps we are taking to keeping safe:

We know how important cleanliness is and always maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. To further offer you peace of mind, we have increased the frequency of the cleaning of our office.

Rest assured that hand washing is strictly followed. Hand sanitizer is available to all staff and patients.

Additionally, if you have recently traveled to a country with high rates of the coronavirus or have been on a cruise, please reschedule your visit for at least 14 days from your return date. We will gladly accommodate your needs to reschedule. At that time, a telehealth interface can be arranged if necessary.

Find up-to-date and accurate information on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website and feel free to reach out with questions.

- Your team at Long Island Spine Specialists, P.C.

Schedule a Consultation

To learn more about Long Island Spine Specialists – and to discover how we can relieve your pain and help you find an improved quality of life – please contact our office today and schedule a consultation.