Spinal Fractures

Question 1

What are the 3 columns of the spine used for describing spinal fractures?

Answer 1

Anterior column
Middle column
Posterior column

Question 2

What is included in the anterior column?

Answer 2

Anterior longitudinal ligament
Anterior half of thee vertebral body
Anterior disc

Question 3

What is in the middle column?

Answer 3

Posterior half of the vertebral body
Posterior disc
Posterior longitudinal ligament

Question 4

What is in the posterior column?

Answer 4

Spinous process
Lamina, pedicles, superior and inferior articulating processes
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments

Question 5

How is a stable spinal fracture classified?

Answer 5

If only one column is involved - they dont cause spinal deformity or neurological problems

Except - when both pedicles are fractured (these are unstable)

Question 6

How is an unstable spinal fracture classified?

Answer 6

When 2 or more columns are affected. - it will cause spinal deformity and lead to neurological problems

Question 7

What are 3 types of spinal fractures?

Answer 7

• Compression/ wedge fracture - loss of height of the vertebral due to trauma or pathological fracture.
• Burst fracture - fractures of the vertebra in multiple locations
• Fracture- dislocations - fractured vertebra and disrupted ligaments - instability Amy cause spinal cord compression

Question 8

What is Spondylolistheis?

Answer 8

A condition where one vertebra slides forward over the veterans below it

Spondyl = vertebra
O = connector
Listhesis = slipping

Question 9

How is Spondylolisthesis classified?

Answer 9

There are 4 grades - determined by % slippage anteriorly

1 = <25%
2 = 25-50%
3 = 50-75%
4 = >75%

Question 10

What ligament may be damaged due to whiplash?

Answer 10

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Question 11

What ligament in the spine may be damaged due to hyper flexion?

Answer 11

Nuchal ligament