Is a transverse process fracture serious?
Transverse process fractures of the lumbar spine often are considered benign fractures related to direct trauma or psoas muscle avulsion. Treatment of these usually stable injuries is primarily administered when the patient becomes symptomatic.
Do transverse process fractures require surgery?
V. Isolated transverse process fractures do not require surgical intervention or immobilization. Treatment is typically pain control.
How painful is a transverse process fracture?
Abstract. Lumbar spine transverse process fractures (LSTPFs) are uncommon and frequently overlooked on plain film radiographs. Even when recognized, they are often regarded as trivial and minimally painful injuries compared with combined serious major abdominal, pelvic, and spinal injuries.
Is a transverse process fracture stable?
The good news is that most transverse process fractures are stable and recover well with rest and short term use of a lumbar brace / support. Being a stable fracture means that they generally don’t require surgery.
How long do transverse process fractures take to heal?
Transverse Process Fracture Treatment This injury can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to fully heal, and it generally heals fully without the need for surgery. Normal treatment routines involve rest and pain medications, and a back brace is sometimes used to stabilize the spine and limit discomfort from movement.
How common is transverse process fracture?
In a retrospective study of 216 patients with cervical fractures evaluated by plain films and computed tomography, we found that transverse process fractures were common. Transverse process fractures were present in 24% of patients with cervical fractures and accounted for 13.2% of all cervical fractures.
What is the most common way to get a transverse fracture?
Transverse fractures most often occur as the result of a strong force applied perpendicular to the long axis of a bone. They may also be the result of a stress fracture where many microscopic breaks form in the bone from repetitive stress, such as running.
How do you sleep with a thoracic fracture?
Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will decrease pressure on your back. You may also sleep on your side with 1 or both of your knees bent and a pillow between them. It may also be helpful to sleep on your stomach with a pillow under you at waist level.
What is the recovery time for a transverse fracture?
Why do transverse fractures take longer to heal?
Transverse fractures heal more slowly than spiral fractures as there is smaller surface area of contact, and these fractures are caused by higher energy injuries often. Perkins rule of thumb law.
What is a transverse FX?
A transverse fracture is a specific type of broken bone where the break is at a right angle to the long plane of the bone. Transverse fractures most often occur as the result of a strong force applied perpendicular to the long axis of a bone.
What is a transverse process?
The transverse process is a bony structure that protrudes from each side of the vertebrae, which means that there are two connected to each vertebrae of the spine. These processes are responsible for attaching muscles and ligaments to the spinal column.
What is the function of the transverse process?
They also attach with muscles and ligaments,specifically with the intertransverse ligaments.
What is transverse spinal process?
Transverse process is a small bony projection off the right and left side of each vertebrae. The two transverse processes of each vertebrae function as the site of attachment for muscles and ligaments of the spine as well as the point of articulation of the ribs (in the thoracic spine).
What are the symptoms of a transverse fracture?
Severe back pain that lasts more than 24 hours.