Vertebral Fractures

Fracture of cervical, thoracic, or

lumbar vertebrae
Severity depends on location and
bone displacement
Due to compression from trauma
Most common in thoracolumbar
region

Ligaments of Vertebral
Column
Anterior Longitudinal
Anterior Atlantoaxial
Posterior
Longitudinal
Ligamentum Flavum
Ligamentum Nuchae
Supraspinous

Posterior
Atlantoaxial
Tectorial Membrane
Interspinous
Intertransverse
Alar

Joints of Vertebral Column:

Synchondroses or Cartilaginous Joints

Zygapophyseal Joints:

-synovial joints between the interior

articular process of superior vertebrae
and the superior articular process of
inferior vertebrae
-control flexion, extension, and
rotation of adjacent cervical and
lumbar vertebrae
-synovial and have intervertebral discs

Suboccipital joints
-atlanto-occipital (pivot joint) and
atlanto-axial joints (movement is
rotation)
-between the skull and C1 (atlas), and
between C1 and C2 (atlas and axis)
-(condyloid type) synovial only (no
intervertebral discs)

Compression
Fracture

Wedge
Fracture in anterior
Fracture
aspect of spine
Hairline or wedge
Subtype
Anterior portion
collapses under
pressure
Wedge shape

Burst
Fracture
Fracture in all
directions of
vertebrae
Higher severity
May affect spinal
cord
Possible nerve
damage
Possible paralysis
Can affect facets,
lamina, pedicle,
transverse processes

Signs and Symptoms

Typically lower back pain
Pain in hips, thighs, or abdominals
Incontinence/Retention (pressure on
spinal cord)
Numbness
Tingling sensation
Weakness
Inability to move

Risk Factors/Causes
Osteoporosis
Osteoarthritis
Pathological
Fractures (i.e.
diseases or
infections: cancer,
Pagets disease)
Age
Gender

Significant deviation
from spinal alignment
Motor vehicle accidents
High impact sport
injuries
Falls (either in seated
position or from great
heights)
Fatigue accumulation
Progressive creep
deformities

Rehabilitation

Use of back brace

Opiates (Oxycodon or Hydrocodone)
Doctor approved exercise
Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
Physical Therapy
Surgery (depending on severity)spinal fusion

Prevention
Nutrition
Calcium/Vitamin D
supplementation if
deficiency is
present
Stop tobacco use
Exercise/Strength
Training
Hormone
Replacement

References
(n.d.). Back Pain, Neck Pain, Lower Back Pain, and Spinal Disorders by Spine Experts |
SpineUniverse.Types of Spinal Fractures.Retrieved December 2, 2014, from
http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-fractures/types-spinal-fractures
(n.d.). Cedars-Sinai A Non-Profit Hospital in Los Angeles .Burst Fracture.Retrieved
December 2, 2014, from
http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Burst-Fracture.aspx
(n.d.).Vertebral Compression Fracture: Symptoms and Surgery Facts.Retrieved
December 2, 2014, from
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/vertebral_compression_fracture/article_em.htm#ver
tebral_compression_fracture_overview
Ashcroft-Hands, R. (2011). Vertebral compression fractures.Journal Of Community
Nursing,25(6), 39.
Adams, M. A., & Dolan, P. (2011). Biomechanics of vertebral compression fractures
and clinical application.Archives Of Orthopaedic And Trauma Surgery,131(12), 17031710. doi:10.1007/s00402-011-1355-9