Fractures of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine

Spinal fractures can vary widely in severity and treatment. They can be caused by: a high-energy trauma, such as a motor vehicle collision; and a low-energy event, such as a minor fall, in an older person whose bones are weakened by osteoporosis

There are many factors that influence the treatment of spinal fractures, including the severity of the fracture and whether the patient has any associated injuries.

Anatomy

The spine is made up of 33 bones. The individual bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The spine is divided into three sections: Cervical (upper), Thoracic (midback), and Lumbar (lower back).

Most spinal fractures occur in the thoracic and lumbar spine, or at the connection of the two (called the thoracolumbar junction).

Learning how your spine works will help you to understand spinal fractures. For an overview of the spine: Spine Basics

The regions of the spine, including the thoracic spine (midback) and lumbar spine (lower back).

Lumbar Vertebrae

-Processus Spinosus

-Superior Articular Process

-Accessory Process

-Transverse Process

-Spinal Canal

-Pedicle

-Vertebral Body

Cause

Fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine may result from high-energy trauma, such as:Car or motorcycle collision, Fall from a significant height, Sports accident, and Violent act, such as a gunshot wound.

People involved in high-energy accidents often have multiple injuries, some of which can be serious or life-threatening and require rapid evaluation and treatment. 

It is not uncommon for the spine and the surrounding nerves to be injured in high-energy accidents.

Spinal fractures may also be caused by weak or brittle bones. For example, people with osteoporosis, tumors, or other underlying conditions that weaken the bone can fracture a vertebra even during lower-impact events — such as reaching or twisting or falling from a standing height. 

Fractures in patients with weak bones can also develop over time and go unnoticed until an event or accident causes a significant increase in pain.

Description

There are different types of spinal fractures. Doctors classify fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine based on the specific pattern of the fracture and whether there is a spinal cord injury. Spine surgeons will classify spinal fractures to help determine which kind of treatment is needed.

Spine fractures are often classified into three groups:

• Flexion

• Extension

• Rotation