Spine Fracture Surgery

Overview of Spine Fracture Surgery

Spinal fracture surgery is used to treat significant vertebral fractures, often caused by trauma, osteoporosis, or cancer. The goal of this surgery is to stabilize the spine, reduce pain, and protect the nerves. Surgery is performed when the fractures are severe, leading to instability or nerve compression. Dr. Irfan Malik at Mspin helps restore structural integrity, helps patients regain mobility, and prevents further damage.

Key Benefits of Spine Fracture Surgery

• Pain Relief
• Improved Mobility
• Reduced Risk of Further Injury
• Nerve Protection

Conditions Treated by Spine Fracture Surgery

Spinal fracture surgery is used to treat;

• Compression fractures: Often caused by osteoporosis, these fractures cause part of the vertebra to collapse.
• Burst fractures: Usually caused by trauma where the vertebra breaks into several pieces.
• Spinal cord compression fractures: Result from direct damage to the spinal cord or nerves.

Treatment Process

Pre-Procedure

Before surgery, patients undergo a thorough examination to determine the type and severity of the fracture and the best surgical approach. Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, are used to assess the extent of the injury and check for nerve involvement. At this point, the surgeon explains the procedure, possible outcomes, and recovery expectations to help patients prepare mentally and physically.

Patients may be advised to discontinue certain medications and be advised to change their diet. They may also be asked to help around the house during their recovery. For some, preoperative physical conditioning can help speed recovery.

The Procedure

The type of operation depends on the complexity and location of the fracture. Common procedures include:

• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: Minimally invasive options for compression fractures. The surgeon injects bone cement to stabilize the fractured vertebra, and in kyphoplasty, the balloon is first inflated to restore height before cementing begins.
• Spinal Fusion: For more serious fractures, Spinal fusion may be necessary. It involves the use of bones, rods, or screws to connect the affected vertebrae and stabilize the spine.
• Decompression surgery: If the nerves or spinal cord are compressed, decompression surgery may be performed to relieve the pressure. This involves removing pieces of bone or discs that are pressing on the nerves.

Spine fracture surgeries usually last a few hours and are performed under general anesthesia. Minimally invasive techniques such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty use small incisions, reducing recovery time compared to traditional open surgery.

Post-Procedure

After the operation, the patients are closely monitored in the hospital. Depending on the invasiveness of the procedure, some patients may go home within a day or two, while others may have a longer hospital stay. Pain relief is essential and patients can start walking and moving under guidance shortly after surgery.

Physical therapy is often part of a recovery plan that focuses on strength, flexibility, and proper alignment of the spine. Patients are usually advised to avoid heavy lifting and twisting movements for several months to allow healing. Follow-up visits ensure that the spine is healing properly and that physical therapy or activities can be modified as needed. Full recovery can take several months, especially after complex procedures such as spinal fusion.