What is a L2 compression fracture?

What is a L2 compression fracture?

Compression fractures are common in the middle and lower back. While a compression fracture can occur anywhere along your spine, the most common areas are in the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. 60% to 75% of vertebral compression fractures typically occur at the T12 to L2 vertebral levels—your middle back area.

Is a lumbar fracture serious?

Fracture-dislocations of the thoracic and lumbar spine are caused by very high-energy trauma. They can be extremely unstable injuries that often result in serious spinal cord or nerve damage. These injuries require stabilization through surgery. The ideal timing of surgery can often be complicated.

What is the treatment for a fractured lumbar spine?

Most fractures are treated with immobilization in a brace or corset for up to 12 weeks. Bracing helps to reduce pain and prevent deformity.

Can you walk with a lumbar fracture?

Depending on how severe your injury is, you may experience pain, difficulty walking, or be unable to move your arms or legs (paralysis). Many fractures heal with conservative treatment; however severe fractures may require surgery to realign the bones.

How should you sleep with a fractured spine?

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 does L2 nerve control?

Functions of the Lumbar Spinal Nerves L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.

What nerves are affected by L1 and L2?

A limited description of the specific lumbar spinal nerves includes: L1 innervates the abdominal internal obliques via the ilioinguinal nerve; L2-4 innervates iliopsoas, a hip flexor, and other muscles via the femoral nerve; L2-4 innervates adductor longus, a hip adductor, and other muscles via the obturator nerve; L5 …

Can you walk with a fractured spine?

What is the prognosis of lumbar compression fractures?

For many people, a spinal compression fracture will hurt less as the bone heals. That can take up to 2 or 3 months . Other people will still have pain after the fracture has healed. Some people feel almost no symptoms from spinal compression fractures.

What is treatment for lumbar fracture?

Common treatment of lumbar compression fractures in a woman with osteoporosis is usually aimed at prevention. A doctor may prescribe medications to alleviate the pain. The doctor may also prescribe calcium supplements to try to strengthen the bones. An exercise or physical therapy program may prove to be beneficial.

What you should know about spinal compression fractures?

Compression fracture symptoms usually start with tiny cracks in the bone that produce back pain. Eventually, if fracturing spreads, the entire vertebra will collapse. Most patients that exhibit spinal compression fractures usually see breakages in the front part of the vertebrae, where the bone is weaker.

How to treat spinal compression fractures without surgery?

Healing Spinal Fractures Without Surgery . A good physical therapy program started six to eight weeks after the fracture is often enough to treat the injury and prevent further problems. Therapies such as ice, electrical stimulation, rest or gentle stretching can relieve pain and inflammation.