The therapy is derived from the results of the diagnosis of vertebral fracture. The stable vertebral body fracture is treated conservatively in most cases. This includes:
- A demand-oriented pain therapy (analgesic therapy)
- Physiotherapy (Krnakengymnastics)
- Balneotherapy
- Electrotherapy and
- If necessary the application of a support corset.
In the event of significant pain symptoms and great loss of height of the vertebral body with the probable development of chronic segmental instability, a re-erection operation can be performed.
This form of therapy of the vertebral body can be performed openly surgically or, more recently, in certain cases, minimally invasive. (kyphoplasty). In kyphoplasty, a minor surgical procedure, the vertebral body can be straightened by a balloon and stabilized from the inside by cement filling the vertebral body with cement.
The procedure of kyphoplasty is usually only performed at special centers for spinal surgery. Generally speaking, the goals of surgical treatment of a vertebral fracture are the reduction and stabilization of the affected spinal segment. Unstable fractures are usually treated by open surgery.
A corset usually has an insufficient stabilizing effect. Surgical methods of first choice are fracture reduction and vertebral body stabilization by means of an internal fixator (bone tensioner) inserted from the back (dorsal) in the case of thoracic and lumbar spine injuries or anterior vertebral body stabilization by means of stiffening plating (plate osteosynthesis with iliac crest interposition) in the case of cervical spine fractures (with the exception of the atlas and axis). These measures remove the load from the fractured vertebral body and allow early postoperative mobilization of the patient.
