Spinal Fractures

Brain and Spine Surgeons located in Ridgewood, NJ

About 1.5 million vertebral compression fractures occur in the United States every year. At North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates in Ridgewood, New Jersey, skilled neurosurgeons Amanda Carpenter, MD, and Duncan Carpenter, MD, offer treatments for spinal fractures that ease back pain and maximize healing. Schedule an evaluation today by calling the office or using the online booking tab.

What are spinal fractures?

Spinal fractures are breaks in one or more of the 33 vertebrae (bones) in your spine. They’re caused by injuries, diseases, or age-related wear. Cervical spinal fractures are broken bones in your upper spine (neck area), and thoracic fractures occur in your upper or mid back. Lumbar spinal fractures are broken vertebrae in your lower back.

What increases the risk of spinal fractures?

Numerous factors may contribute to spinal fractures, including:

Motor vehicle accident injuries
Work-related injuries
Sports injuries
Falls
Aging (being older than 50)
Chemotherapy or radiation therapy
Long-term use of corticosteroids
Bone infections
Hyperthyroidism
Vitamin D or calcium deficiencies
Kidney disease
Anorexia nervosa
Smoking
Excessive alcohol consumption
Spinal tumors
Osteoporosis

More than 1.5 million compression fractures are caused by osteoporosis.

Which symptoms can spinal fractures cause?

Spinal fractures can contribute to the following symptoms:

Back pain
Neck pain
Sharp or intense discomfort
Aching pain
Discomfort when moving or walking
Swelling
Tenderness
Stooped or slumped posture
Loss of height
Numbness
Tingling
Bowel or bladder incontinence

See the experts at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates at the first sign of a spinal fracture to reduce the risk of worsening discomfort.

How are spinal fractures diagnosed?

Diagnosing spinal fractures at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates requires a review of your medical history and symptoms, vital signs check, and physical exam to look for signs of spinal fractures. Your specialist may order lab work, X-rays, a CT scan, an MRI, other imaging procedures, or nerve tests to determine how to best treat your condition.

How are spinal fractures treated?

Treating spinal fractures may involve one or more of the following solutions:

Rest
Bracing
Physical therapy
Medications
Bone-strengthening dietary supplements
Minimally invasive spine surgery

Examples of surgeries commonly used to treat spinal fractures include vertebroplasty (injecting liquid cement into a fractured vertebra) and kyphoplasty, a similar procedure that inserts a tiny balloon into your vertebrae before injecting liquid cement.

These are both outpatient procedures, so you can typically go home the same day as your surgery. Make sure to get plenty of rest, avoid intense exercise and heavy lifting until your spine heals, and take any medications as directed. Follow up with your North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates specialist to ensure superior results.

You may fully recover within several weeks or months after being treated for a spinal fracture; recovery time is based on which treatment you undergo and the severity of your injury.

Schedule a spinal fracture evaluation at North Jersey Neurosurgical Associates by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.