What is a T4 fracture?
What is a T4 fracture?
Fractures & Breaks Vertebrae T11 and T12 are more likely to be fractured than vertebrae T1-18. However, the T4 and T5 vertebrae are the most commonly injured thoracic vertebrae. A fracture occurs when the vertebra collapses and causes the bone to break or splinter.
How is a T4 fracture treated?
The most common treatments for a thoracic compression fracture are: pain medications, decreasing activity, and bracing. In rare cases, surgery may also be necessary. Mild pain medications can reduce pain when taken properly. However, remember that medications will not help the fracture to heal.
How long does a T4 fracture take to heal?
Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.
Where is T4 on the spine?
The T4 vertebra is the fourth thoracic vertebra that makes up the middle segment of spinal column of the human body. The thoracic spinal vertebrae consist of 12 total vertebrae and are located between the cervical vertebrae (which begin at the base of the skull) and the lumbar spinal vertebrae.
Where is T4 and T5 in spine?
T1 and T2 (top two thoracic nerves) feed into nerves that go into the top of the chest as well as into the arm and hand. T3, T4, and T5 feed into the chest wall and aid in breathing. T6, T7, and T8 can feed into the chest and/or down into the abdomen.
Is a thoracic spine 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.
What does T4 do in the spine?
The T4 vertebra, the tenth vertebra down in your spinal column, protects a nerve root that impacts your gall bladder and your common duct. As such, misalignments here can cause problems with liver and gall bladder function, including jaundice and shingles, among others.
What are the 2 most easily injured portions of the spine?
The Areas Most Prone to Damage: Cervical and Lumbar Portions. While the spine is comprised of multiple regions, the ones most susceptible to damage are the cervical and lumbar regions.
How long does it take for a thoracic fracture to heal?
Nonsurgical treatment. Most flexion injuries–including stable burst fractures and osteoporotic compression fractures—can be treated with bracing for 6 to 12 weeks.
What is a T4 compression fracture?
The muscles in your core are responsible for maintaining balance between your upper and lower body. Because a T4 spinal cord injury can result in paralysis or weakness from the chest down, individuals with this level of injury may be unable to sit upright without support or stand on their own.
What you should know about spinal compression fractures?
Loss of height
What are symptoms of thoracic compression fracture?
– Slowly worsening back pain — lying on your back may relieve the pain and standing may make it worse – Decreased height – Stooped-over posture – Numbness or tingling, weak muscles, problems walking and (possible) trouble controlling your bowels or bladder because of nerve damage
Where is T4 on spine?
The fourth thoracic vertebra, known as the T4 vertebra, is located in the upper region of the middle back and plays an important role in supporting the rib cage. The thoracic spine is relatively stable compared to the cervical (upper) and lumbar (lower) spinal regions because most of it is fixed to the ribcage.