Patient Information Resources


Spine Institute
Glendale Adventist Medical Center
1500 E. Chevy Chase Drive, Suite 401B
Glendale, CA 91206
Ph: (818) 863-4444






Spine - Cervical
Spine - General
Spine - Lumbar
Spine - Thoracic

View Web RX

« Back

I'm sending you this question on behalf of my mom who is laid up in bed with a burst fracture of her spine. She can't sit up and use her laptop, so I'm typing her question. How long does it take to heal from this type of injury?

Burst fractures occur as a result of a compressive load down through the spine. The vertebra shatters into tiny pieces. Bone fragments can get lodged into nearby tissues, including the spinal canal and the spinal cord inside the canal. Burst fractures are most often caused by car accidents or by falls. Burst fractures are categorized by the severity of the fracture (how much of the bone was splintered into tiny pieces), displacement (how much the pieces have moved or separated, and kyphotic deformity (how much the vertebral bone has collapsed). The loss of vertebral body height, and (the amount of neurologic deficit, and presence of spinal deformity are all important factors in whether or not these injuries are unstable. Once the fracture site has been reduced (bones put back in proper alignment), bed rest is a standard treatment approach. The body must be given time for the bone to heal. Under the best of circumstances, bone healing usually takes six to eight weeks. X-rays and CT scans will be used to observe how the bone is coming along. Some patients are up and moving in as little as two weeks. Most are on bedrest for six to eight weeks. This time period is followed by another three to six months wearing a body cast or brace. Rehab and recovery are also affected by factors such as the use of tobacco products (which can delay healing), good nutrition (which can speed up healing), age (older age has a worse prognosis), and the success of the initial program to restore bone alignment. But the good news is that studies show a very favorable response to treatment with some 90 per cent (or more) success rate. Highly unstable fractures can be treated surgically if conservative care is unsuccessful in reducing pain and stabilizing the spine.

References:

« Back





*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.


All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Mosaic Medical Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Mosaic Medical Group, LLC and used herein by permission.