Spine fractures
What are spinal fractures?
A spinal fracture is a break in one of the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Fractures can range from minor compression injuries affecting a single vertebra to more complex injuries involving multiple parts of the spine. Most spinal fractures occur following trauma, such as a fall, sporting injury or road traffic collision. Some fractures can also occur in people with weakened bones, particularly those affected by osteoporosis. While severe spinal fractures often require urgent treatment in specialist NHS trauma centres, some less severe injuries, stable fractures and osteoporotic compression fractures may be assessed and managed through non-trauma spinal services.
What causes spinal fractures?
Spinal fractures may result from:
- Falls, particularly from height
- Road traffic accidents
- Sporting injuries
- Direct trauma to the spine
- Osteoporosis and other conditions that weaken bone strength
In some cases, everyday activities such as bending, lifting or minor falls can cause a fracture when bones have become fragile.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the injury, but may include:
- Sudden neck or back pain
- Pain that worsens with movement
- Tenderness over the spine
- Muscle spasm
- Difficulty standing or walking
- Loss of height or spinal curvature following compression fractures
If the fracture affects the spinal cord or nerves, symptoms may also include:
- Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Problems with bladder or bowel control
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop arm or leg weakness, severe back or neck pain, loss of sensation around the genitals or buttocks, or changes in bladder or bowel function.
How are flexion fractures diagnosed?
Your consultant will ask how the injury happened and examine the painful area carefully. They’ll check how you can move and whether there are any changes in the strength or feeling in your arms or legs.
You may need an X-ray or CT scan to show where the break is and how the bones are positioned. A CT scan gives a more detailed picture of the bone.
In some cases, your consultant may also recommend an MRI scan to look more closely at your spinal cord, nerves and the tissues around them.
Treatment routes for Spine fractures
Many spinal fractures can be managed without surgery. This is known as conservative management and is often appropriate for stable fractures that are unlikely to affect the spinal cord or nerves.
Treatment may include pain management, activity modification, and in some cases the temporary use of a spinal brace or collar to provide support during the early stages of healing. Your consultant will advise whether a brace is appropriate and, if so, how long it should be worn.
Although some restrictions may be recommended initially, prolonged rest is rarely beneficial. Maintaining appropriate movement and activity is an important part of recovery and can help reduce pain, maintain strength, and support a return to everyday activities. Physiotherapy may be recommended to help you regain confidence, mobility and function in a safe and progressive way.
Working with Spine professionals and teams
Our spine specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their spines. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Spine treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
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