What is Thoracic Spine Fracture

Thoracic spine fracture is a break in one of the bones of the middle part of the back. The fracture can be mild or very bad. The most serious types cause the broken bones to:

• Move out of place (unstable).
• Damage or press on the main nerve in the spine (spinal cord).

In some cases, the bone that connects to the lower part of the back may also have a break (thoracolumbar fracture).

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

• A car accident.
• A fall.
• A sports accident.
• Violent acts. These include assaults or gunshots.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Back pain.
• Trouble standing or walking.
• Numbness.
• Tingling.
• Weakness.
• Loss of movement.
• Being unable to control when to pee or poop (incontinence).

How is this treated?

Treatment may include:

• Medicines.
• A cast or a brace.
• Physical therapy.
• Surgery. This may be needed for very bad fractures.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take medicines only as told by your doctor.
• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking pain medicine.
• To prevent or treat trouble pooping (constipation) while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your doctor may recommend that you:
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow.
  • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
  • Eat foods that are high in fiber. This includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
  • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars. This includes fried or sweet foods.

If you have a brace:

• Wear the back brace as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
• Keep the brace clean.
• If the brace is not waterproof:
  • Do not let it get wet.
  • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

Activity

• Stay in bed (on bed rest) only as told by your doctor.
• Ask your doctor what is safe for you to do.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your doctor.
• Do back exercises (physical therapy) as told by your doctor.
• Exercise often as told by your doctor.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

• If told, put ice on the injured area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

• You have a fever.
• You have a cough that makes your pain worse.
• Your pain medicine is not helping.
• Your pain does not get better over time.
• You cannot return to your normal activities as planned.

Get help right away if:

• Your pain is bad and it suddenly gets worse.
• You are not able to move any part of your body (paralysis) that is below the level of your injury.
• You have numbness, tingling, or weakness in any part of your body that is below the level of your injury.
• You cannot control when you pee (urinate) or when you poop (pass stool).

Summary

• A thoracic spine fracture is a break in one of the bones of the middle part of the back.
• A stable fracture can be treated with a back brace, activity restrictions, pain medicine, and physical therapy. A more severe fracture may require surgery.
• Make sure you know what symptoms should cause you to get help right away.