Spine Fracture
Fractures in the spine may pose a daunting situation and require immediate medical attention. A spine fracture is characterised by a break or cracks in one or more vertebrae, the small bones that make up the spine. These fractures can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, accidents, falls or underlying bone conditions. Understanding the severity and types of spine fractures is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan.
Symptoms Of Spine Fracture
Severe Back Pain
This is pain that typically localised at the fracture site and exacerbated by movement or pressure.
Limited Range of Motion
As pain and stiffness in the affected area restrict normal movement, your range of motion may suffer as a result.
Numbness or Tingling
This can often be experienced as either localised or radiating sensations along the nerve pathways affected by compression or irritation.
Muscle Weakness
Muscle weakness can often present as reduced strength in the affected muscles due to nerve compression or irritation.
Pain Worsening with Movement
Pain that worsens with movement, as physical activity increases mechanical stress on the spine and further compresses irritated nerves.
Reduced Height Over Time
Vertebral compression or collapse can lead to a gradual loss of spinal alignment and stature.
Causes
Spinal fractures are mostly caused by accidents, falls, sports or other injuries that cause high-impact trauma to the spine and back.
Diagnosis
Spine Fracture Treatment In Singapore
Treatment varies depending on the severity and spine fracture types but may include bracing, pain medication, physical therapy and potentially surgery in severe cases.
Non-Surgical Options
TLSO (Thorcolumbar Sacral Orthosis) or Jewett braces are applied to stabilise the spine fracture.
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Kyphoplasty is a minimally-invasive procedure where cement is injected into the bone to give it strength. Another procedure that is used is minimally-invasive instrumentation.
FAQs on Spine Fracture
Surgery is not always required for spine fractures. It is reserved for cases where there is a significant risk to the spinal cord or when non-surgical treatments fail to provide relief.
Prevention from spine fractures involves reducing risk factors through safety measures in sports and home environments, maintaining healthy bones through diet and exercise, and managing conditions like osteoporosis early on.
If a spine fracture is suspected, immediate medical attention is crucial. It’s important to stabilise the spine, immobilise him and avoid movements that could exacerbate the injury.
Spine fractures can lead to severe complications such as permanent posture changes, chronic pain or neurological impairments like paralysis. Prompt and effective treatment is essential to minimise these risks.
Our Specialist
About Gamaliel Tan
MBBS (S'pore), MMED (S'pore), FAMS (Ortho), FRCS (Edin)Dr Gamaliel Tan is a spine surgeon in Singapore with over 25 years of experience in designing and providing effective solutions for different orthopaedic problems. He specialises in spine surgery and has experience in endoscopic spine surgery and motion preservation spine procedures (artificial disc replacements).
Qualifications and Achievements
- Head of Department, Department of Orthopaedics | NTFGH 2009 - 2018
- Council member of the AOSpine East Asia group 2017 – 2020
- Head of the Spine Division | NTFGH 2009 - 2023
- Group Chief Medical Informatics Officer (GCMIO) | NUHS 2020-2023
Accreditations
Medisave & Insurance
