Minneapolis Burst Fracture Attorney

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Terry, Slane & Ruohonen is a powerful personal injury law firm with years of experience handling burst fracture cases and a reputation for obtaining generous settlements. Our attorneys are experts at establishing fault in complex medical cases, including spinal injury cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

About Burst Fractures

A burst fracture is a spinal injury in which the vertebral body is severely compressed, sometimes to the point of shattering into surrounding tissues and the spinal canal. Burst fractures are caused by extreme trauma, as in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident.

Burst fractures are categorized by the extent of deformity and the severity of the spinal canal compromise, as well as how much vertebral height is lost. In a burst fracture, the margins of the vertebral body spread out in all directions. By crushing the entire margin of the vertebral body, the spine loses its stability. There may also be loss of strength, sensation, and reflexes below the level of the injury. The bony fragments can dislodge, bruising the spinal cord and causing partial neurologic injury or paralysis.

The spinal injury needs to be examined and categorized. The physician will do x-rays, a CAT scan, and possibly an MRI to determine:

• the exact location of the fracture
• the type of fracture (compression, burst, or fracture dislocation)
• how much the spinal canal has been compromised
• spinal angulation
• the extent of soft tissue damage (muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
• if there is bleeding

Categories of Burst Fractures

Stable Burst Fracture

In a stable burst fracture, the posterior column is uninjured and remains functional and there is little to no neurologic injury. A stable burst fracture can be treated without surgery. A brace must be worn for 8-12 weeks to ensure adequate healing. Physical therapy will be prescribed once the brace is removed.

Unstable Burst Fracture

Reasons a burst fracture is ruled unstable:

• there is neurologic injury
• the angulation of the spine is greater than 20 degrees
• there is subluxation (dislocation)
• there is more than 50% loss of anterior vertebral body height
• the spinal canal is compromised more than 30%

Surgery early is highly recommended for unstable burst fractures. A reduction maneuver may be performed to straighten the spine and spinal fusion, with bone graft, to help injured vertebrae heal. A spinal laminectomy may be performed to move any fragments pressing on the spinal canal. After any stabilizing surgery, bracing is required for 8-10 weeks. Once the bracing is removed, physical therapy is a must to gain strength in the trunk and lower extremities.

Minneapolis Burst Fracture Attorney

The degree of recovery depends on the timing of the treatment, the degree of spinal cord compromise, and the stability of the spine. Contact Terry, Slane & Ruohonen at 612-362-0000. Our Minneapolis Spinal Injury Lawyers will review your case, handle the doctor and insurance issues, do all of the paperwork, and file your claim.