Function | Vortex

Function

The vertebrae form the spine and allow the trunk to move in all directions. Rotational movements (twisting) come especially from the cervical spine. Bending and stretching is mainly made possible by the lumbar spine. The vertebral arches protect the spinal cord from possible injuries. Via the intervertebral discs, shocks can be buffered.

Adjust the vertebrae

The purpose of dislocating a vertebra is to bring a vertebra hooked in the intervertebral joints back into the correct position. This blockage can be manifested as pain or limited freedom of movement. Sometimes, active twisting and bending movements help to release this blockage.

For example, you can lie down on a sports mat and slowly stand up and unroll again, trying to consciously move vertebrae one by one. Rotational movements of the upper body, which you can perform while sitting, can also help to release slight blockages. In other cases, however, a dislocation can only be achieved by applying light pressure or traction. This should always be carried out by a specialist, such as a doctor or physiotherapist, because incorrectly settling the spinal column can cause further problems, such as tension.

Diseases

The wear and tear of the spine and its vertebrae can be detected in X-rays from the age of 50 onwards in practically every person. Nevertheless, these wear-related changes can remain without symptoms. In many cases, arthrosis of the vertebral joints, changes in the vertebral bodies (osteochondrosis) and bone attachments at the front and rear edges of the vertebral bodies (osteophytes = spondylophytes in the spine) are found.

As the vertebral bodies wear out, the intervertebral discs also age, and herniated discs can be the result. Bone decalcification (osteoporosis) increases with age. The result is an increased susceptibility to fracture of the vertebral bodies. Especially after a fall, a vertebral body fracture can occur. In most cases, these fractures heal when the vertebrae are out of position.

Broken vertebra

A vertebra can be broken by many different mechanisms.Among the three most common are, on the one hand, excessive bending or stretching, excessive compression of the spine from above and below, a so-called compression, or, on the other hand, rotation of the spine around its own axis. A typical example of a severe strain on the vertebrae is a car accident, in which enormous forces, especially in the cervical area, act on the vertebrae due to the body being thrown back and forth. This can also affect surrounding structures that serve to stabilize the spine, such as ligaments.

A special case is osteoporosis, in which the vertebrae collapse without any great force being applied. As different the mechanisms are, as different a vertebra can be broken. It can be dented, completely broken into several individual parts or even split once.

The fractured vertebra can shift the adjacent spinal column sections against each other. Depending on the extent of the fractured vertebra, either a conservative treatment with physiotherapy, painkillers and rest is chosen, or in the case of resulting neurological deficits or instability of the spine, for example, surgery is considered.