What is a spine fracture?
We call spine fracture the breaking of the spine bones.
In other words, we mean the disruption of the continuity of the spine, because a bone breaks, cracks, or generally deforms its original form.
Most fractures are mainly caused by falls, road accidents or osteoporosis. In most cases, there is pain and a potential deformity. In heavy cases, numbness of the limb extremities is experienced as well as difficulty in their movement. . It is most important to be immediately examined by a physician, to secure a timely diagnosis and proper treatment.
Fractures of the spine are also called vertebral or compression fractures.
If there is no neurological damage, the spine fracture can be addressed with a conservative treatment, namely using an orthopaedic brace. Otherwise, and in more serious cases, surgical treatment is required.
The aim of an orthopaedic brace is double: on the one hand, it reduced pain caused by the fracture itself and by the muscular spasm caused in the area of the fracture and on the other, it protects the area during daily activities, so that the fractures can correctly, quickly and sufficiently heal, reducing hence the risk of an exaggerated kyphotic formation. Its use requires particular care in one very important point. The patient must remember that the brace-splint is a temporary measure and he must not rely on it. The spine must be in a position to “stand” on its own within the shortest period of time possible. For this reason, the use of the brace must be restricted to a specific period of time during the day and, as time elapses, the duration and intensity of the exercises aiming to strengthen the muscular groups must increase.
