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How to Treat a Broken Back

Treatment for a broken back may vary greatly according to the degree of the injury and whether the spinal cord is affected. While a broken back, which involves a fracture to one or more vertebrae, almost always requires surgery, the methods of treatment and the length of your recovery will depend upon many factors.

Things You'll Need

  • Physician and orthopedic surgeon
  • Back brace or traction cast
  • MRI or CAT Scan
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Instructions

  1. Treat a Broken Back

    • 1

      Do not try to move yourself if you suspect you have broken your back, unless your life is in immediate danger (such as being trapped in a fire). Any movement can aggravate the injury and increase the chances of injury to the spinal cord. Call 911 and wait for emergency medical assistance.

    • 2

      Have the doctor evaluate the degree of your injury by using either an MRI (magnetic resonance image) or a CAT scan. This will determine your course of treatment and the type of surgery you will need.

    • 3

      Determine which type of surgery will be used to treat your broken back. Usually, a fractured vertebrae will simply be fused to the one next to it, or it will be removed completely and replaced with a bone graft. Care must be taken to remove any bone chips or fragments that could cause damage to the spinal cord over time.

    • 4

      Immobilize your back after surgery to allow for recovery. This may be achieved through the use of a traction body cast in more severe fractures, or a back brace. Recovery from back surgery is usually slow, so be patient with your progress.

    • 5

      Use physical therapy to strengthen and stretch your back muscles once you are no longer using a brace or body cast. Building up the muscles around your vertebrae can help to protect them from further injury down the road. It is easy to re-injure yourself after back surgery, so take it easy and listen to your doctor during the recovery process.

    • 6

      Check out websites such as eMedicinehealth and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, among others, for more tips on how to treat a broken back (see Resources below).

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