What is a back fracture?
A fracture is a break in a bone. The main length of your spine is divided into three sections, those being the cervical, thoracic and lumber, containing a total of 24 individual bones called your vertebrae. You can sustain a back fracture to any of your vertebrae in multiple different locations.
What causes a back fracture?
Fractures in the back can occur from:
- Compression forces down your spine from falling
- Landing flat footed from a jump
- Excess twisting and rotation of your spine
- Normal activities – if you are older and have osteoporosis (Weaker bones)
- Tumours – causing pressure on your vertebrae
Fractures in your back have the potential to add pressure and irritate your spinal cord or nerve roots. Car accidents, falls, sports and acts of violence are the main causes of back fractures.
Above: Our physiotherapists will share their knowledge and expertise to help you understand your painWhat are the symptoms of a back fracture?
Symptoms of a back fracture will vary depending on where the fracture is located and how severe it is. They may include:
- Back or neck pain
- Slower gait
- Numbness
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Decreased range of motion in your back
- Stooped posture
- Muscle spasm
- Muscle weakness
- Bowel/Bladder changes
- Paralysis (Loss of movement in arms/legs &ndash can be indicative of a spinal cord injury)
How is a back fracture diagnosed?
If you have injured your back from sudden impact, because of the complex system of nerves present, people are advised to visit accident and emergency immediately if you are in excess pain or have symptoms indicating nerve injury.
Some less severe fractures may initially go unnoticed, but if the pain is persisting and you are unsure, one of our physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio will be able to assess you and send you for an X-ray to confirm the presence of a fracture.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat back fractures, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077.
What would a physiotherapy assessment for a back fracture involve?
Your first appointment at Liverpool Physio would include a comprehensive assessment. Our specialist physiotherapists will split this into two parts:
Subjective
A conversation to discover how long you have been experiencing your symptoms, what activities make them worse and better, gather an idea of your medical history and understand the impact your injury is having on your lifestyle.
Objective
Considering your current pain, our physiotherapist will assess as much as possible in relation to the range of movement in your back, neck arms and if necessary legs, muscle strength, spine flexibility and a series of special tests to rule out other conditions, such as Nerve Root Compression, and formulate a treatment plan.
What would physiotherapy treatment for a back fracture involve?
If you are sent for an X-ray and have a confirmation of a back fracture you may initially need bed rest or a back brace to maintain the alignment of your back, control your pain and allow the fractured bone to heal.
After an X-ray to confirm the broken bone is healing, our physiotherapists can work with you using the following interventions and more to increase your back mobility and help you return to your usual mobility.
- Exercises to strengthen your core and back
- Stretches
- Heat treatments
- Balance re education
- Massage
- Spine mobilisations
- Gradual increase of activity
- Postural re-education
How can I arrange a physiotherapy assessment for a back fracture?
If you have had a back fracture and require rehabilitation, or are experiencing pain in your back and you are unsure of the cause, our physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio can help.
You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment and we can advise you if further treatment is recommended, or give you details on self-management for minor cases. To arrange an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call 0151 558 0077.
Summary
Back fractures can range in the amount of pain they cause, but they have the potential to cause nerve damage and impact the way you walk, your posture and your participation in the activities you enjoy. Our physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio will ensure that you get the best treatment for your injury.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat back fractures, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on0151 558 0077.
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