Whereas the lumbar spine, with its thick intervertebral discs and sagittally-oriented facet joints, and the lack of the thoracic cage, is comparatively more mobile. The thoracolumbar junction is the most common region of thoracolumbar fractures due to that transition point of increased mobility 2. The thoracic spine is the more rigid of these structures and therefore requires significant force to cause injury. The thoracolumbar spine can be divided into the thoracic spine, the thoracolumbar junction (T10-L2) and the lumbar spine. Associationsīecause thoracolumbar injuries are often due to blunt trauma or high-velocity injuries there can be myriad associated injuries such as 1: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the affected vertebrae.Males are affected more commonly than females with a peak incidence between 20-40 years of age 1. Treatment may involve rest, physical therapy, and medications to manage pain. It can cause pain and discomfort, and it may also lead to spondylolisthesis if left untreated. Spondylolysis is most commonly seen in athletes, particularly those who participate in high-impact sports such as gymnastics or football. Spondylolysis: This is a condition in which there is a stress fracture or defect in the pars interarticularis, which is a small bony structure that connects the spinous process to the transverse process.In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the affected vertebrae. Spondylolisthesis can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the affected area. It is often caused by a fracture in the spinous process or the transverse process, or by degenerative changes in the spine. Spondylolisthesis: This is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward on top of the vertebra below it.Treatment may involve medications, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery to widen the spinal canal. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs. Spinal stenosis may be caused by degenerative changes in the spine, such as osteophytes or herniated discs. Spinal stenosis: This is a condition in which the spinal canal becomes narrow, which can cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.Treatment may involve medications to manage pain, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery to remove the osteophytes. Osteophytes can cause pain and discomfort, and they may also interfere with movement. Spinous process osteophytes: These are bony growths that can develop on the spinous process, often as a result of osteoarthritis (a degenerative joint disease).Symptoms of a spinous process fracture may include pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area. Spinous process fractures: These are fractures that occur in the spinous process, often as a result of trauma or osteoporosis (a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle).There are several conditions that can affect the spinous process, including: It helps to create a channel for the spinal cord to pass through, and it provides some degree of protection for the cord from impact or compression. It also plays a role in protecting the spinal cord. It also serves as an attachment site for various muscles and ligaments, which are responsible for maintaining proper posture and movement of the spine. It helps to provide structural support for the vertebrae and helps to distribute the weight of the body evenly across the spine. The spinous process serves several important functions in the spine. In the cervical region (neck) and the sacral region (lower back), the spinous processes are shorter and harder to feel. It is most easily felt in the lumbar region (lower back) and the thoracic region (middle back), as these regions have the longest spinous processes. The spinous process is an important landmark in the spine, as it can be palpated (felt) through the skin. The transverse processes also serve as attachment sites for muscles and ligaments. It is located between the two transverse processes, which are bony projections that extend laterally (out to the side) from the vertebral body.
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