What is flexion distraction injury?

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Flexion-distraction injuries occur due to distractive forces causing disruption of the posterior and middle spinal columns. These fractures classically consist of a fracture line through the posterior bony elements; involvement of the posterior ligamentous complex is, however, common.



Beside this, what is a flexion injury?

Flexion or forward hinging injuries are most common in the lumbar spine following a fall in the bent position or an object falling on the bent back. The injury is stable if the posterior ligament remains intact, but the front of the vertebral body usually collapses.

Likewise, what is a flexion distraction table? Flexion distraction table basics. A large number of chiropractic tables are designed to respond to quick thrusts from the chiropractor, thereby realigning the spine. Some are called drop tables because various sections drop under the pressure, using gravity to help return the spinal column to a healthier position.

Moreover, what is a distracting injury?

Distracting injury is part of the clinical assessment for CSI when using NEXUS criteria. It was vaguely defined in that study on purpose but is generally thought to include severe extremity fractures, degloving injuries, severe burns, etc.

How does flexion distraction work?

Flexion distraction helps to alleviate pain by reducing the pressure between discs and on the spinal nerve. The technique also widens the spinal canal and foraminial area. All of this contributes to a reduction in pain and increase in motion in the spinal joints.

26 Related Question Answers Found

What is a hangman's fracture?

Hangman's fracture is a break in a specific part of one bone in the neck. Bones of the spine are called vertebrae. The bone involved in hangman's fracture is the second vertebra, toward the top of the neck, close to the skull. In a hangman's fracture, the pars of C2 fractures, or breaks, on both sides.

What does Hyperflexion mean?

Hyperflexion refers to the movement of a flexor muscle beyond its normal limit. In a hyperflexion injury, the muscles, ligaments, and other tissue surrounding the joint may be torn, dislocated, or otherwise damaged. An example of a hyperflexion related injury is cervical whiplash syndrome.

How long does it take for lumbar fracture to heal?

This takes most of the pressure off the fractured vertebral body, and allows the vertebrae to heal. It also protects the vertebra and stops further collapse of the bone. Vertebral fractures usually take about three months to fully heal.

How does a spinal injury occur?

A traumatic spinal cord injury may stem from a sudden, traumatic blow to your spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes or compresses one or more of your vertebrae. Additional damage usually occurs over days or weeks because of bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid accumulation in and around your spinal cord.

Where is Thoracic 12?


The T12 vertebra is located in the last position of the thoracic section of the spine, and sits just above the lumbar section. The portion of the spinal cord that the thoracic vertebrae protect is known as the thoracic cord. This part of the cord controls abdominal muscles.

What is an acute spinal fracture?

Incidence and Prevalence. Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when the bony block or vertebral body in the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity and loss of height. These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), especially in the lower part.

Is a Chance fracture stable?

Dr Daniel J Bell ? and Dr Jeremy Jones ? et al. Chance fractures, also referred to as seatbelt fractures, are flexion-distraction type injuries of the spine that extend to involve all three spinal columns. These are unstable injuries and have a high association with intra-abdominal injuries.

Is a burst fracture stable?

Burst Fractures: Treatment and Recovery. A stable burst fracture may be treated without surgery. In general, a stable burst fracture is one in which there is no neurologic injury, in which the angulation of the spine is less than 20 degrees and in which the amount of spinal canal compromise is less than 50 percent.

What is a distraction test?

Neck distraction test: The examiner grasps the patient's head under occiput and chin and applies an axial traction force. It is performed in the supine position with an approximate traction force of 10-15 Kg. Positive test finding is relief or reduction of cervical radicular symptoms.

What is Spinal Distraction?


Lumbar distraction manipulation is a nonthrust mechanically assisted manual medicine technique with characteristics of manipulation, mobilization, and traction. It is used for a variety of lumbar conditions and chronic pelvic pain.

What is an axial loading injury?

Most cervical spinal cord injuries are the result of axial loading (force directed through the top of the head and through the spine) forcing the head into hyperflexion and/or rotation. This type of mechanism may result in a fracture of dislocation of one or more of the cervical vertebrae.

What is burst fracture?

A burst fracture is a descriptive term for an injury to the spine in which the vertebral body is severely compressed. They typically occur from severe trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height. With a great deal of force vertically onto the spine, a vertebra may be crushed.

What causes a compressed spine?

The causes of spinal cord compression include the following: Certain degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, can lead to spinal cord compression. A ruptured disk may lead to spinal cord compression. Injury to the spinal cord or the area around the cord can lead to swelling, which can cause compression.

What is Nexus criteria?

NEXUS (National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study) is a set of validated criteria used to decide which trauma patients do not require cervical spine imaging. Trauma patients who do not require cervical spine imaging require all of the following: alert and stable. no distracting injury.

What is Cox flexion distraction technique?


The Cox Flexion Distraction Technique (also referred to as the Cox® Technic) was developed by Dr. James M. Cox as a gentle, non-force adjustment procedure to help the spine heal naturally. The goal of Flexion Distraction is to decompress the spine by applying gentle stretching or traction to the lower spine.

What is the purpose of a drop table in chiropractic?

Also known as the Thompson technique, the “drop” approach uses a special chiropractic table. When the chiropractor applies a gentle thrust to the area needing adjustment, the table releases and drops down, causing that segment of the body to fall too.

What does the chiropractic roller table do?

The roller table helps by creating motion which can stretch the spinal joints and improve movement. It does this by mobilizing the spinal column while simultaneously stretching the muscles and ligaments. The patient lies face up on the table while the rollers beneath the surface gently move up and down the spine.