Fracture Surgery

Fracture and Tumor Surgery

It may sound unusual but spine fractures and many spinal tumors are managed in similar ways.  This is because fractures of the spine create instability and nerve compression and tumors of the spine can also create instability by destroying bones and compressing nerves.  They both require systematic thought in terms of when to operate and what operation to perform.  If you have a tumor or fracture without severe nerve compression, it is often very important to get second opinions before considering surgery if you can but sometimes the timelines are too narrow to do so if nerve compression is severe.  

These surgeries can be very stressful and often require multidisciplinary care with therapists, rehab doctors, and for tumors radiation and oncology physicians.  At Modern Spine, we try to prepare patients for the whole process so that the best informed decisions can be made about your options, prognosis, and care path.  

Fracture Surgery

Spinal fractures in the neck (cervical), midback (thoracic), or low back (lumbar) are all managed fairly similarly.  The goal is to relieve pressure on nerves including the spinal cord if they are pinched and to restore stability to the spine.  Some times with fractures there can be severe nerve injury that can not be surgically repaired but may recover over time.  In these situations, spinal surgery is still necessary to stabilize the bone and to allow the best chance for the nerves to heal without compression.

At Modern Spine, we take a modern approach to spinal fracture surgery.  This is done by utilizing advanced calculators to determine when surgery is appropriate and then using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to repair the damage.  Most fracture surgery is still done open in the Pacific Northwest, meaning massive incisions are used to repair the fractures.  Some fractures are also managed conservatively without much thought given to the indications of such care leading to some fractures not being managed well–making patients wear braces indefinitely that don’t fit, don’t work, and won’t heal the fracture.  

We try our best to provide comprehensive non-surgical options that work or comprehensive surgical options that attempt to give patients the best possible outcomes.  Obtain a second opinion on your fracture by consulting with us at Modern Spine.  

 

C2 Fracture

This fracture would be managed in most practices with a C1-3 posterior fusion performed open. At Modern Spine, we offered a much smaller, faster operation that caused very little reduction in range of motion.

Spine Tumor Surgery

Like spine fractures, tumors are again managed similarly but require a very careful approach to management.  If you have cancer of the spine, surgery wiill be very different than for patients that have benign, non-cancerous tumors.  

We take a modern approach to tumors that allows for very well informed decision making about all the options, the prognosis, and the limitations of surgery in every case requiring spine tumor care working with radiologists, radiation doctors, and cancer doctors when necessary.

 

Spinal Tumor with Spinal Cord Compression

This tumor is causing spinal cord compression and bony destruction. Spine care needs to be well thought out and comprehensive which is something Modern Spine prides itself on in every case.

Next Steps

If you have a spine fracture or tumor, consult with us today or get a second opinion on your recent diagnosis.  We will provide honest answers to your questions and concerns.

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