Minnesota Burst Fractures Attorney

TSR Injury Law has extensive experience with burst fracture lawsuits. 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. They occur from extreme trauma, as in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident.

Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, and Rich Ruohonen are skilled, aggressive personal injury lawyers and well-known for their ability to litigate difficult medical cases, with settlements into the millions. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.

Burst Fractures

Burst fractures are categorized by the severity of the deformity and the severity of the spinal canal compromise, as well as the degree of loss of vertebral height and neurologic injury. 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 spread out and bruise the spinal cord causing partial neurologic injury or paralysis.

At the scene of the accident, if the victim complains of severe back pain they should not be put into a sitting position. If they stand or walk with a burst fracture, they may increase their neurologic injury.

The physician will need to do x-rays, a CAT scan, and possibly an MRI to determine:

• the level of the fracture
• the type of fracture (compression, burst, or fracture dislocation)
• the amount of spinal canal compromise
• spinal angulation
• the amount of soft tissue trauma
• bleeding
• ligament disruption

Stable Burst Fracture

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

Unstable Burst Fracture

A burst fracture is ruled unstable if there is:

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

Unstable burst fractures do better with early surgery. A reduction maneuver may be performed to straighten the spine and spinal fusion, with bone graft, to help injured vertebrae heal. Fragments pressing on the spinal canal, may be moved into a better position by a spinal laminectomy. After any stabilizing surgery, some type of bracing is required for 8-10 weeks. Once the bracing is removed, physical therapy will be necessary to help return strength to the trunk and lower extremities.

Minnesota Spinal Injury Attorney

The degree of recovery depends on the timing of the treatment, the degree of spinal cord compromise, and the stability of the spine. While you recover, you need peace of mind that your family will be taken care of and your bills covered by insurance. You need legal representation to access all of the insurance available. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free contact form. Our Minnesota Spinal Injury Lawyers will review your case, handle the doctor and insurance issues, do all of the paperwork, and file your claim.