FRACTURES
Fractures Caused by Flexion
- Compression fracture.
In a compression fracture, the anterior (front) of the vertebra is compressed and breaks, but the posterior (back) part of the vertebra does not.
This type of fracture:
• Is usually stable, meaning the spine is still able to support the weight of your body without causing the bones to shift and move
• Is rarely associated with neurologic problems
• Commonly occurs in patients with osteoporosis
A compression fracture of the lumbar (lower) spine (highlighted in red).
- Burst fracture.
In a burst fracture, both the front and the back of the vertebra are broken. Burst fractures can be caused by landing on the feet after falling from a significant height.
This type of fracture:
- Can sometimes result in nerve compression
- Is sometimes stable and sometimes unstable (the spine is not able to support the weight of your body without causing the bones to shift or move)
- May require surgery, depending on the stability of the spine and whether there is nerve injury
Fractures Caused by Extension
- Flexion/distraction (Chance) fracture. During a flexion/distraction fracture, the vertebra is pulled apart (distraction). This type of fracture can occur in a head-on car collision when the upper body is thrown forward while the pelvis is stabilized by a 1 ap seat belt.
These fractures:
- Are typically unstable and cannot support the weight of the person
- Often require surgery
Fractures Caused by Rotation
- Transverse process fracture. Fractures to the transverse process result from rotation or extreme lateral (sideways) bending.
This type of fracture:
- Does not usually affect stability.
- Does not therefore require surgery
- Vertebral facture-dislocation.
Fracture-dislocation of the vertebra involves bone and/or soft tissue in which a vertebra moves off an adjacent (nearby) vertebra (displacement).
These injuries:
• Are unstable
• Frequently cause serious spinal cord compression
• Require surgery