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Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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My Child Has:
Spinal Fracture
Programs that treat this condition
General Orthopedic Program   Spinal Program  
Brain Injury Program  
Anatomy of the spine
Spine The spinal column is made up of many individual bony rings called vertebrae, joined together by muscles and ligaments. Flat, soft intervertebral discs separate and cushion each vertebra from the next.

Because the vertebrae are separate, the spine is flexible and can bend. Different regions of the spinal column have different names:

  • The cervical vertebrae are those situated around the neck.
  • The thoracic vertebrae are those situated in the chest region.
  • The lumbar vertebrae, along with the sacrum, make-up the lower back.
The spinal column houses the spinal cord, which consists of nerves that carry and receive signals to and from the arms, legs, and many internal organs.
What is a spinal fracture?
Fractures or cracks in the vertebrae due to trauma in the area can occur anywhere along the spinal column, although this type of injury is far more common in adults than children. That is because, in children, a greater portion of the spinal column is composed of cartilage, which is more flexible than bone and therefore can sustain more stress. Over time, with aging, the vertebral rings gradually transform into bone (ossify), a process that isn't completed until around 21 years of age.
Image
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There are several types of spinal fractures. In children, one of the more common types is a compression fracture. In this type of fracture, the bone is crushed, causing the broken bone to be wider or flatter in appearance. Most compression fractures are stable (remain in normal alignment) and can be treated without surgery, as long as there is no damage to the spinal cord, by immobilization of the affected area until the fracture heals. Spinal cord injury is a far more complex problem that can cause permanent disability and death in children.
What causes spinal fractures?
There are many causes of spinal fractures in children. The more common injuries occur when the area of the spine or neck is bent or compressed as in the following:
  • birth injuries, which typically affect the cervical vertebrae (in the neck area)
  • motor vehicle accidents (where the child is either riding as a passenger in the car or is struck as a pedestrian)
  • sports injuries
  • diving accidents
  • trampoline accidents
  • violence (gun shots or stab wounds)
What are the symptoms of a spinal fracture?
The following are common symptoms of a spinal fracture. Your child may have varying degrees of symptoms, associated with the severity and location of the fracture and whether or not the spinal cord has been compressed. A severe compression fracture may involve the spinal cord or nerve roots, as they are draped over the sudden angulation of the spine. This may cause severe pain, a hunched forward deformity (kyphosis) and/or paralysis. Other symptoms include:
  • pain in the affected area (from mild to severe)
  • swelling
  • inability to walk or move normally
  • deformity or an unnatural angle in the area
If you suspect a spinal injury, call for emergency help and do not attempt to move your child. Medical personnel need to determine the extent of the damage as soon as possible. Immobilize your child's head, neck and spine by padding them with towels, blankets, or jackets.
How is a spinal fracture diagnosed?
The physician makes the diagnosis with physical examination and diagnostic tests. During the examination the physician obtains a complete medical history of the child and asks how the injury occurred.

Diagnostic procedures include:

  • x-rays - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. This test is used to measure and evaluate the curve. And may also include:
  • computerized tomography scan (Also called a CT or CAT scan.) - a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices"), both horizontally and vertically, of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays and may help the doctor determine what type of fracture your child has.
  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of large magnets, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. This test is done to rule out any associated abnormalities
Treatment for a spinal fracture?
Specific treatment for a fracture will be determined by your child's physician based on:
  • your child's age, overall health, and medical history
  • extent of the fracture
  • your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
  • expectations for the course of the fracture
  • your opinion or preference
The goal of treatment of spinal fractures is the restoration of normal length and alignment of the vertebrae, and avoidance of motion between the fracture fragments.
Treatment may include some combination of the following:
  • brace - immobilizes the injured area to promote bone alignment and healing to protect the injured area from motion or use. Bracing helps reduce acute pain by immobilizing the fracture and helps reduce the eventual loss of height and in angulation from the fracture. Immobilization of a cervical spine compression
  • fractures usually involves the use of a rigid collar.
  • medication (for pain control)
  • reduction - involves realignment of the fractured bone. This can be done through an incision made into the fracture site (open reduction) or by external manipulation without an incision (closed reduction)
  • traction - the application of a force to stretch certain parts of the body in a specific direction. Traction consists or pulleys, strings, weights, and a metal frame attached over or on the bed. The purpose of traction is to stretch the muscles and tendons around the broken bone to allow the bone ends to align and heal.
  • surgery - required to put certain types of broken bones back into place. Occasionally, internal fixation (metal rods or pins located inside the bone) or external fixation devices (metal rods or pins located outside of the body) are used to hold the bone fragments in place to allow alignment and healing.
What is the long-term outlook for a spinal fracture?
With proper immobilization and rehabilitation including physical therapy and exercise, most children can expect to make a full recovery from a spinal fracture.
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