In the aftermath of the accident, you need peace of mind that your family will be taken care of and your bills covered by insurance. Call TSR Injury Law. We care about your pain and your recovery. We will handle all of the paperwork and file your claim.

TSR Injury Law has extensive experience with burst fracture lawsuits. Our skilled, aggressive Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys have successfully litigated many difficult medical cases. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our free consultation form.

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 tissue and the spinal canal. These fractures occur from extreme trauma, as in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident.

In a burst fracture, the edges (margin) of the vertebral body are fragmented and spread out in all directions. When the entire margin of the vertebral body is crushed, the spine loses its stability. The bony fragments can bruise the spinal cord causing loss of strength, sensation, and reflexes below the level of the injury. Burst fractures are categorized by:

• the severity of the deformity
• to what degree the fragments have invaded the spinal canal
• the degree of vertebral height loss
• the extent of neurologic injury

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.

To diagnose a burst fracture x-rays, CAT scan, and possibly an MRI will be needed 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 damage

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. Another treatment option is 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 strengthen 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. 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.