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Fracture, Spinous and Transverse Processes, Sports Medicine

David E.J. Bazzo, MD, FAAFP, CAQSM and Tara Robbins, MD Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Transverse and spinous process fractures are considered minor spine injuries and usually are stable and benign. Both types can be markers of considerable trauma and should encourage ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Forceful hyperflexion of the neck (e.g., spearing in football) is associated with lower cervical spinous process fractures. Lumbar transverse process fractures usually result from dir...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Short-term rest is often the most effective treatment for isolated injury.

  • Cryotherapy repeated frequently within initial 36 to 48 hr may help prevent muscle spasm.

  • Nonopioid m...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patients with isolated fractures do not need orthopedic or neurosurgical referral. 

REFERENCES

1
Patten RM, Gunberg SR, Brandenburger DK. Frequency and importance of transverse process fractures in the lumbar vertebrae at helical abdominal CT in patients with trauma. Radiology.  ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Homnick A, Lavery R, Nicastro O, et al. Isolated thoracolumbar transverse process fractures: call physical therapy, not spine. J Trauma.  2007;63(6):1292–1295.

  • Krueger M, Green ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Isolated transverse process fractures can be treated conservatively without concern for long-term outcome sequelae such as pain, neurologic deficits, or ambulatory difficulties 4.

  • Athle...

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