Healing back bones without surgery

Knocks, scrapes and broken bones are all part of growing up. But what happens when it’s not an arm or a leg that is broken. It is the back. It is easy to panic about a broken back. But not all breaks are the same and nor should they be treated as such.

Doctors and surgeons are no less immune to worry than the rest of us. If they see an injured child, it is only natural that they want to do whatever it takes to ensure recovery. The pressure on them to perform is intense and it comes from within themselves, the hospital, parents and the patient. Surgery is put forward as a solution because it means a definitive action is taken, but in reality, sometimes a milder form of intervention and patience is the best treatment.

In cases of open fracture, keeping the wound clean and letting it heal naturally, is proven to be a safer method of healing than surgery. Just like the same type of injury to the arm or leg, an open fracture is when a broken bone protrudes from the skin. The visibility of the wound is not an indicator of its severity. If the size is under half an inch, chances are that with TLC from the medical staff healing can progress without sight of a scalpel.

The reasons why you would avoid surgery, if possible, are because it is risky. Surgical intervention on the back requires general anaesthetic. The wound will need to opened up further to allow access. Recovery time will actually increase. Not to mention, there will be more scarring and hip pocket expense. Surgery is an aggressive form of treatment that is very effective for aggressive damage on the body. It can be saved for times when the wound is infected, or if there is nerve damage or when surrounding tissues and veins need repair as well.

Instead, for a basic wound (no matter how unpleasant to the eye) treating it in the emergency room with a local anaesthetic can be judged the best treatment for the wound and patient. Medical staff will not need to use a scalpel. They can simply irrigate and clean the flesh wound. Antibiotics may be prescribed as a precaution against infection. The bones can be reset and a special cast applied.

Paul Sponseller, M.D., M.B.A., Director of Pediatric Surgery at the John Hopkins Childrens’ Center says: “…it is clear to us that surgery is not always the best choice. Nonsurgical approaches should be considered for all kids with simple open bone breaks and no evidence of infection, serious damage or major debris.”