Spinal Trauma

Spinal Trauma

  • Overview
  • Approach
  • Appointments
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatments
  • Resources
  • Doctors

    • What is spinal trauma?

    Spinal trauma is damage to the spine caused by an injury from something like a vehicle accident, a severe fall, a sports injury, heavy lifting or other physical stress. Trauma to the spine could result in a fracture or subluxation, which is a misalignment of the vertebrae that results in pressure on the nerves. Trauma can occur anywhere on the spine, including the neck (cervical spine), upper back (thoracic spine), lower back (lumbar spine) and the section of connected bone at the very bottom of the spinal column called the sacrum.

    Our Approach

    When you come to the Comprehensive Spine Program for a traumatic injury to your spine, you’ll be evaluated by our multidisciplinary team of specialists who will work with you to determine a personalized treatment plan. Our goal is to offer the most advanced and least invasive treatment to help improve your quality of life.

    Appointment Information

    For Musculoskeletal-based back and spine conditions, call:

    Comprehensive Spine Program

    At the Comprehensive Spine Program, a nationally acclaimed team of back and spine care experts collaborates to deliver the most effective treatments, tailored to each patient, whether surgical or non-surgical.

    Learn about the spine program

    How is spinal trauma diagnosed?

    Our collaborative team begins by conducting a complete medical history and physical exam, including understanding the circumstances surrounding the accident or injury. Based on our findings, advanced testing might include:

    • Imaging, such as X-rays, CT scans or an MRI 
    • An EMG (nerve test) to determine which nerves are functioning and the severity of the damage

    After your diagnostic tests are completed, our specialists will talk with you about your treatment options.

    How is spinal trauma treated?

    There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options for spinal trauma.

    Non-surgical treatment

    • Physical therapy
    • Pain management, including anti-inflammatory and pain medications, muscle relaxers, and steroid injections
    • Traditional medicine combined with holistic therapies such as yoga, healing touch and acupuncture
    • Bracing

    Surgical treatment

    • Posterolateral fusion: A procedure in which a series of screws and rods, combined with a bone graft, are used to fuse two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine.
    • Lumbar vertebral body replacement: If a vertebral body (a thick bony structure that gives strength and protection to the spine and spinal cord) has been severely fractured in a traumatic event, the affected area may be replaced with a stabilized metal cage filled with bone graft material, then anchored to the adjacent healthy vertebra
    • Kyphoplasty: A procedure in which a hollow needle is inserted into the spine with an attached balloon that is then gently inflated inside the fractured vertebrae. The balloon is filled with a bone cement mixture that will stabilize and strengthen the vertebrae and restore height.
       

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Ilyas Syed Aleem, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Rakesh D Patel, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery Of The Spine

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Joshua David Piche, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Orthopedic Surgery

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