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Stanford Health Care

Types

How We Can Help You for a Spinal Fracture

The doctors in the Stanford Medicine Spine Center have the experience needed to precisely diagnose and effectively treat a spinal fracture, the condition where one or more of the bones (vertebrae) in the spine has broken.

We help relieve the symptoms of a spinal fracture, which may include back or neck pain made worse by movement. When the spinal cord is involved, symptoms also may include numbness, tingling, weakness, and bowel or bladder problems.

Our doctors emphasize noninvasive treatment whenever possible. Options may include special exercises, changes in your activities, braces, and medications. In more severe cases, we also perform all types of spine surgery, from the common to the most complex.

In addition, Stanford Medicine Spine Center patients with spinal fractures may have opportunities to participate in research studies of new treatment approaches not yet available anywhere else.

What We Offer You for Spinal Fractures

  • Center of Excellence for advanced care of all spine-related conditions.
  • Nationally recognized expertise in treating all types of spinal fractures, no matter how complex.
  • Precise diagnosis options including the latest imaging technology.
  • Team-based treatment planning that brings together orthopaedic surgeons, neurologists and neurosurgeons, pain management specialists, rheumatologists, physiatrists, and others to tailor care to your needs.
  • Advanced treatment options emphasizing noninvasive approaches whenever possible, including exercises, physical therapy, and medication therapy, and, when needed, spine surgery.
  • Comprehensive support services including care coordination from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up.
  • Active research program to develop new diagnostic and treatment advances.

Treatments for a Spinal Fracture

Treatment may have one or more of the following goals:

  • Relieve pain and any other symptoms
  • Prevent the condition from getting worse
  • Heal your fracture
  • Help you return to an active lifestyle

The best treatment option for you depends on your condition, overall health, and other factors. Your doctor may recommend one or more approaches, such as:

Exercise

Your doctor may recommend that you try certain exercises to help relieve symptoms and strengthen your spine. The doctor also may recommend that you reduce or stop other exercises to help your healing.

Lifestyle changes

Certain steps you can take to protect your overall health also can help relieve symptoms and speed healing of your fracture. Examples include losing weight and stopping smoking.

Cold therapy

Applying cold to the fracture area may help relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Physical therapy

Specialists in our physical therapy program use the latest techniques and technologies to help your spinal fracture heal. Our goals are also to help you return to a more active lifestyle and reduce the risk of reinjuring your spine. In some cases, a spinal fracture may affect your posture or ability walk normally. Our physical therapists can help you get back in step.

Medications

Your doctor may recommend one or more over-the-counter or prescription medications. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help relieve symptoms.

Bracing

A neck collar or brace can help limit motion of the spine and allow it to heal.

Immobilization

A “halo vest” or other device can help hold your spine in a fixed position for more effective healing.

Surgery

When necessary, your doctor may recommend a vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, where a special cement is injected into the fracture. Another procedure is spinal fusion, which can help stabilize the fracture. 

Clinical Trials

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Open Clinical Trials

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Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest clinical trials.

Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future.

Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

What is a Spinal Fracture?

A spine fracture is a break in one of the bones in your spine, also known as vertebrae.

The body of the vertebra, which bears the weight, can break. It has smaller bones that branch off to form a protective ring around the spinal cord and these bones also can break.

Types of Spinal Fractures

There are eight main types of spinal fractures:

Wedge fracture

This is the most common type. Vertebral bones on one side of the body, usually the front, collapse. As a result, a wedge shape forms and can cause a person’s head and torso to pitch forward. This leads to a hunchback shape.

Compression fracture

This type of fracture is similar to a wedge fracture and common in people whose bones are weakened by osteoporosis, cancer, or another condition. Too much pressure causes the vertebral bone to break.

Crush fracture

When both sides, front and back, of the vertebra are crushed, the result is usually a change in height instead of posture—a person becomes shorter.

Burst fracture

Bone can break in different directions, with fragments pushing out from the spinal column.

Flexion-distraction fracture

If an injury or accident causes your body to be pushed forward, the sudden movement may break one or more bones in the spine.

Fracture-dislocation fracture

If the vertebral bones move, you have a fracture-dislocation, which can cause your spine to be very unstable.

Stable fracture

You may hear the term “stable” used to describe your fracture. That means it doesn’t cause spinal deformity or nerve problems.

Unstable fractures

If you have an unstable fracture, the spine cannot properly carry and distribute weight. This type of fracture can progress if not treated promptly. It can also cause other problems, such as spinal deformity.

Our Clinics

Stanford Medicine Spine Center

The Stanford Medicine Spine Center is staffed by world-class spine specialists from neurosurgery and orthopaedics, who work together to offer you the world’s most advanced and effective treatment options—including those that don’t involve surgery. Our goal is to safely get you back to your normal lifestyle as soon as possible, and maintain long-term spinal health.

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To schedule an appointment, please call 650-725-1125.