Question 1

how long does it take an injury to the thoracic vertebrae to heal?

Accepted Answer

6-8 weeks.: Like most fractures, it should heal in 6-8 weeks, assuming that it is a simple fracture, with no other factors affecting healing.

Question 2

my 5 year old daughter has a vertebrae about the middle of her back that is increasingly protruding. she complains about it often. no injury.

Accepted Answer

Better c her doctor: Her Pediatrician would examine her first then direct her care, may it is just posture or weak back muscles, radiologic studies might be ordered, all depends on initial exam, wish you both wellness

Question 3

how can i realign my vertebrae? chiropractic care didn't work. hi there,

in april i sustained a spinal injury from dance. i caught my partner in the air while leaning forward too far and heard/felt my spine between the shoulder blades go "pop pop pop po

Accepted Answer

Should : Should people worry when their chiropractor tells them they have spinal misalignment?  Here are some things to think about:

the chiropractic concept of spinal misalignment is unique to that industry and controversial, if not frankly refuted, by many in the medical professions.  The belief that diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae was first proposed by daniel david palmer (b 1845 -- d 1913).  Palmer proposed that "a subluxed vertebra... Is the cause of 95% of all diseases."  "subluxation, " as used by the medical profession, means that the bone or joint is dislocated.  If you ever have the chance to look at the bones of the spine, you can see that they fit on top of each other and lock into place like... Uhoh, i'm having a hard time finding an analogy... Kind of like treads on an escalator.  They are very hard to displace, and if they do become anatomically displaced it is almost always associated with a fracture -- a very serious medical problem.

Around the turn of the 20th century, shortly after the discovery of the x-ray, a growing body of radiographic evidence failed to show any evidence of anatomical misalignment.  So, chiropractors developed a refinement of the term, called "chiropractic subluxation."  chiropractic subluxation has an abstract definition:  "a subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health."

chiropractic subluxation, as it turns out, has been no less controversial.  In 2009, an article written by 3 chiropractors and a phd in physical education conducted an extensive review of chiropractic knowledge and literature and concluded:

"no supportive evidence is found for the chiropractic subluxation being associated with any disease process or of creating suboptimal health conditions requiring intervention. Regardless of popular appeal this leaves the subluxation construct in the realm of unsupported speculation. This lack of supportive evidence suggests the subluxation construct has no valid clinical applicability."  (chiropractic & osteopathy 2009, 17:13)

when considering whether to continue chiropractic treatments or to pursue alternatives like physical therapy, one should have a good idea of the risks of chiropractic treatments.  It turns out that mild adverse effects of chiropractic manipulation affect about half of all patients.  These adverse effects include pain, numbness, stiffness, dizziness and headaches.   (ernst, e. (2001) prospective investigations into the safety of spinal manipulation. Journal of pain and symptom management, 21(3), 238-242.)  severe and even life-threatening consequences of chiropractic manipulation have been reported, but the frequency of these events is unknown. (ernst, e. (2008) chiropractic: a critical evaluation.  Journal of pain and symptom management, 35(5), 544-562.).

Question 4

my son fractured l1 & l5 vertebrae and is experiencing upper body tremors. we have had head, neck, and back mri to rule out other injuries.

Accepted Answer

Upper Body Tremors: Hello. No previous history prior to fractures of  upper body tremors? What did his MRIs show specifically of his neck? Did he have one of his thoracic spine?  Do tremors involve arms AND chest (torso)? Is this the 1st time he has taken Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl)?  Tremor can be seen with Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl) but it is RARE. Tremors usually occur with overdose of Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hcl).  Is he taking any narcotics too for pain control?

Question 5

i have a backbone injury from a fall. and there is a crack in my backbone. what shall i do now?

Accepted Answer

Coccygodynia: Ouch! these can be quite painful. Minimizing pressure on the tailbone by using a doughnut cushion and nsaids may help. Depending on severity of the "crack", an orthopedic consultation may be needed. Sometime the pain can become chronic and inteventional management technique or surgery may be needed.

Question 6

can retrolisthesis be corrected after a fall injury?
i took a bad tumble in '85. if i understand it means your vertabra have slid backwards on each ot

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Fusion would be indicated if there is instability . This would have to fit certain criteria. Not likely that you would have instability over 25 years. Also mild retolisthesis is usually an incidental finding not associated with symptoms.

Question 7

can a history of back injury, vertebral fx's, cause problems with the knees, hips? secondary degenerative changes? if yes, how?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Prior spinal fractures can sometimes lead to degenerative changes of the hips and knees secondarily.  This is a result in an alteration of the biomechanics of walking which can place altered stress forces on these joints.

Question 8

can there be past injury to the vertebral artery that makes it susceptible to re-injury / further-worse injury? (force, repetitive stress, pressure?)

Accepted Answer

Yes: Repeated injury to vertebral artery is possible.

Question 9

in whiplash injury the nerves originating from spine inside vertebral column, can nerves snap out?  due to rapid movement of neck.

Accepted Answer

WAD: I have not heard of or seen reported nerve avulsion from Whiplash Associate Disorders.  The brachial plexus (mostly arm) nerves can be stretched and become terribly painful but that is not whiplash.

Question 10

is there a specific area of the brain that would more likely show a lesion or infarction if there is injury to a vertebral artery?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It can cause vertebro basilar insuffiency or infarction of the hind brain.

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Doctor answers about:

7th vertebrae injury

A member asked:

How long does it take an injury to the thoracic vertebrae to heal?

A member asked:

My 5 year old daughter has a vertebrae about the middle of her back that is increasingly protruding. she complains about it often. no injury.

A member asked:

How can i realign my vertebrae? chiropractic care didn't work. hi there, in april i sustained a spinal injury from dance. i caught my partner in the air while leaning forward too far and heard/felt my spine between the shoulder blades go "pop pop pop po

A member asked:

My son fractured l1 & l5 vertebrae and is experiencing upper body tremors. we have had head, neck, and back mri to rule out other injuries.

A member asked:

I have a backbone injury from a fall. and there is a crack in my backbone. what shall i do now?

A member asked:

Can retrolisthesis be corrected after a fall injury? i took a bad tumble in '85. if i understand it means your vertabra have slid backwards on each ot

A member asked:

Can a history of back injury, vertebral fx's, cause problems with the knees, hips? secondary degenerative changes? if yes, how?

A member asked:

Can there be past injury to the vertebral artery that makes it susceptible to re-injury / further-worse injury? (force, repetitive stress, pressure?)

A member asked:

In whiplash injury the nerves originating from spine inside vertebral column, can nerves snap out? due to rapid movement of neck.

A member asked:

Is there a specific area of the brain that would more likely show a lesion or infarction if there is injury to a vertebral artery?

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