Lumbar Fractures (Subscribe)  

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are radiologic procedures for the treatment of the intense pain caused by vertebral compression fracture in patients whose pain has been refractory to medical management or bracing. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty involve the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved intraosseous injection of acrylic cement under local anesthesia...

Vertebral compression fracture is the most common complication of osteoporosis. More than 700,000 new vertebral compression fractures occur every year in the United States alone, accounting for more than 100,000 hospital admissions and resulting in close to $1.5 billion in annual costs.
Synonyms and related keywords: osteoporosis, back pain, osteoporotic vertebral...

AAOS Issues New Treatment Guidelines for Symptomatic Osteoporotic Spinal Compression
October 4, 2010 — The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Board of Directors approved and issued a clinical practice guideline for treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic spinal compression. The new practice parameters, which are published in the September 27 issue of...

horizontal fracture thru vertebra (body, pedicles, laminae)
* sudden deceleration with lap-only seatbelt
* usually L1 or L2

Patients complaining of back pain following motor vehicle accidents or falls from significant heights should be considered to have spinal injuries until proven otherwise. With flexion-distraction mechanisms such as those observed in passengers restrained with lap seatbelts, a progression of injury from the posterior column of the thoracolumbar spine is...

Notes on differential diagnosis, x-ray and investigation, classification and treatment

Fracture of one or more bones of the spinal column (vertebrae) of the middle (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) back is a serious injury. It is usually caused by high-energy trauma such as a car crash, fall, sports accident, or violent act (for example, a gunshot wound). People with osteoporosis, tumors, or... Highly Reputable

Lower lumbar fractures.
Fractures of L4 and L5 differ from those at the thoracolumbar junction. The differences involve anatomy, biomechanics, treatment options and classification. The rarity of these injuries is evident from their limited discussion in the literature. Treatment must be individualised and the recommendations for thoracolumbar trauma management cannot necessarily...

About 10,000 thoracic and lumbar spine fractures are treated every year in France. In our experience, a few very minor cases can be treated with bed rest and physiotherapy; 60 % of lesions can be managed with closed treatment; and only 30 % will require surgery. Our experience includes more...

- typical injury pattern for burst fractures varies w/ anatomic level;
- L1 to L3 pedicles are frequently comminuted or detached;
- L4 to L5 fractures usually present a consistent pattern:
- L4 & L5...

The lumbar vertebrae are the 5 largest and strongest of all vertebrae in the spine. These vertebrae compose the lower back. They begin at the start of the lumbar curve (ie, the thoracolumbar junction) and extend to the sacrum. The strongest stabilizing muscles of the spine attach to the lumbar...

Radiology of compression fractures

Each year, more than 150,000 persons in North America sustain fractures of the vertebral column. Injuries to the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine constitute most of these fractures. The immediate neurologic damage that accompanies the bony destruction results in nearly 5000 cases of paraplegia per year. The mechanisms and severity of...

Fracture of the lumbar spine can occur whenever forces applied to the lower spinal column exceed the strength and stability of the spinal column unit. Common injuries resulting in fractures of the lumbar spine include fall from a height; motor vehicle and motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents; and penetrating trauma,...

Spinal fractures are relatively uncommon in sports participation compared with other types of injuries; most injuries to the lumbar spine are relatively minor and fit into the category of soft-tissue injuries. These soft-tissue injuries are usually self-limited and resolve without coming to the attention of healthcare professionals. The mechanisms and...