Spinous process fracture of the lumbar spine | Therapy for a spinous process fracture

Spinous process fracture of the lumbar spine

A corset is also applied for immobilization in the case of spinal process fractures in the lumbar spine. When sitting, attention should also be paid to how closely the movement of the pelvis and lumbar spine are interdependent. Depending on the location and extent of the fracture, the patient may have to refrain from sitting for a while to immobilize the fracture.

In the case of spinal fractures in the lumbar spine, pain often radiates to the entire lumbar region and possibly also to the hip or groin. The gluteal muscles can also be painful. Especially in the so-called thoracolumbar transition (transition from thoracic spine to lumbar spine) instabilities can occur after a fracture, which can later be responsible for back pain. Targeted stabilization training for the autochthonous back muscles is important to prevent this. Good exercises can be found under Lumbar spine syndrome exercises.

Symptoms

The fracture manifests itself by swelling, redness or even a bruise in the fracture area. Furthermore, the vertebra is highly sensitive to pressure. The process may be mobile and crepitations (crunching when the fracture parts rub against each other) may occur.

The surrounding musculature is very tense and causes limited mobility. If the spinous process breaks off, a dislocation may be felt. It is dangerous if the spinous process is pressed into the vertebral arch and damages the spinal canal.

Our spinal cord runs through the spinal canal, which contains the nerve tracts for all organs and structures located below the vertebra. Compression on the spinal cord can damage the nerve tracts. This is then referred to as a paraplegic syndrome.

Summary

Spinous process fractures are usually caused by a fall or an impact on the corresponding vertebral process. They can occur in all sections, but they are particularly common on protruding spinous processes (e.g. the prominence). Isolated spinal fractures are often stable spinal fractures for which conservative therapy is sufficient.

After immobilization with accompanying pain therapy, stability can be improved by strengthening the autochthonous back muscles and also the large back muscles. In the case of serial fractures of several spinous processes, surgical stabilization is necessary in order to ensure a firm base for the muscles that attach to them. Imaging techniques can be used to determine the healing of a vertebral fracture.

Once new bone formation has occurred, gentle exercises can be started. This is usually the case after about six weeks. However, more time (approx.

three months) must be allowed until the patient is fully able to bear weight. A doctor can assess the individual progress of healing and determine the patient’s resilience. In the case of fractures involving the vertebral arch, injuries to the spinal cord and instability of the fracture must always be excluded.