The incidence of spinal fractures is on the increase worldwide. Fractures of the spine may occur due to a fall from a height, automobile accidents, a blow on the head or shoulders, (usually with the spine flexed) or sports such as horseback riding or gymnastics.
In severe injuries, the spinal cord, which is protected by the bony vertebral column can also become, damaged which can result in partial or complete paralysis of the lower limbs or all four limbs depending on the level of the injury. Left untreated these severe injuries develop problems like pneumonia, pressure sores and urinary tract infection. While the extent of paralysis is usually determined by the severity of the injury to the spinal cord at the time of injury, surgery can help in recovery of the paralysis in certain cases and aid in faster mobilization and rehabilitation of the patient. The usage of spinal fixation devices helps to restore the spinal alignment, stabilize the spine, remove the pressure on the damaged nerves and allow quicker recovery of the nerves.
Modern Spinal Surgery allows restoration of the stability of the spine and relieves the pressure on the injured spinal cord. Stabilization can be done either posteriorly or anteriorly or both simultaneously either in one sitting or two sittings using a variety of anterior and/or posterior stabilization instrumentation.
In our institution we treat spinal fractures both operatively as well as non-operatively depending on the fracture pattern. We perform all type of fracture fixations and in required cases use computer navigation to enhance the safety of the procedure.
Some examples of spinal fracture fixation are shown below.
Posterior fracture surgery
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X-ray and CT scan of burst fracture L1 vertebrae |
Post operative x ray showing good reduction and fixation of the fracture |
Combined anterior and posterior surgery
Pre-operative x-rays of a burst fracture L2 vertebrae CT cross section at level of injury
Post operative x-ray – anterior and posterior fixation seen
CERVICAL SPINE FRACTURE
Anterior surgery
MRI of a C6 vertebral fracture with cord compression
Post operative x-ray showing anterior fixation with a cervical plate
Posterior surgery
Fracture C2 vertebra X ray & CT scan
Post operative X rays & CT scan showing perfect fixation. This was performed using computer navigation
Minimally invasive spine fracture surgery
Fixation of the fracture is performed though four small 2 centimeter incisions. However this procedure is suitable for select cases only.
X-rays- preoperative and postoperative
Immediate post op scar is hardly visible
Computer navigated fracture spine fixation
With advancement in the technology, fracture is easily and more accurately reduced and instrumented with computer navigation. Surgery can be done in minimally invasive technique. This is more useful in areas like base of skull, atlantoaxial region and cervicodorsal (root of the neck) regions where visualization and instrumentation is difficult with the usual technique
