Spinal Fracture and Dislocation Surgery in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is spinal fracture and dislocation surgery?
Spinal fracture and dislocation surgery is an operation to repair a spine that has been broken or knocked out of line by an injury. A fracture is a break in one or more vertebrae. A dislocation means one vertebra has slipped off the one below, tearing the ligaments and joints that normally lock them together.
The operation has three aims: put the spine back in line, hold it firmly while it heals, and give the spinal cord and nerves room if bone or disc is pressing on them. Screws placed into the vertebrae are joined by rods on each side, forming an internal splint that bridges the injured segment.
A point worth knowing: the screws and rods do the holding only until the bones knit together. Over the following months a solid bridge of bone forms across the injured level, often helped by bone graft, in the same way as a planned spinal fusion.
Who needs it
Most spinal injuries come from high-energy events: road traffic collisions, falls from height on building sites or from ladders and roofs, and diving into shallow water. The surgeon looks at three questions to decide between surgery and non-surgical care.
- Is the spine stable? A stable fracture, where the ligaments and the back of the spine are intact, often heals in a brace with careful follow-up, as described under fracture management.
- Is the spine out of line? A dislocation, or a fracture that has shifted, usually needs surgery to restore alignment.
- Are the cord or nerves affected? Weakness, numbness or bladder changes, together with a scan showing pressure on the cord or nerves, make decompression more urgent.
CT scanning shows the bone injury in detail, and MRI shows the ligaments, discs and spinal cord. Together they guide the plan, which the surgeon explains to you and your family. The wider range of spinal operations is set out on the spine surgery page.
What happens
After a serious injury, the spine is kept still from the scene onwards. Nurses turn the patient as one unit, a technique called log-rolling, and a collar or firm support protects the neck until the scans are reviewed.
The operation is carried out under general anaesthesia. Most injuries are reached through an incision along the middle of the back or neck, over the injured level. The surgeon then:
- Uses X-ray images to confirm the exact vertebrae and place each screw.
- Gently reduces the dislocation or fracture, bringing the vertebrae back into line.
- Removes any bone fragment or disc pressing on the cord or nerves.
- Locks the rods to the screws above and below the injury.
- Lays bone graft along the spine to encourage the bones to fuse.
Some injuries at the front of the spine need an additional approach from the side or front, planned in advance. After surgery, patients with a cord injury or other major injuries are cared for in neurological critical care before moving to the ward.
Preparing for it
Many of these operations follow straight on from an emergency admission, so preparation is mostly about information. Families help by telling the team about the person's usual health, allergies and every medicine they take, especially blood thinners and diabetes medicines. Bring scans from any other hospital.
When surgery is planned for a day or two after the injury, the anaesthetist completes a review and blood tests, and the surgeon explains the aims and the likely recovery before you sign consent. At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, relatives are welcome to ask the team for daily updates.
Afterwards
Getting moving early protects the lungs, skin and circulation. Physiotherapists help you sit, stand and walk as soon as the surgeon allows, sometimes in a brace. Where the spinal cord was injured, a structured programme in spinal cord injury rehabilitation focuses on strength, transfers, bladder and bowel care and daily independence.
The rods and screws normally stay in place for life. Your surgeon sets a personal plan for bending, lifting, driving and work; site, driving and desk jobs each follow a different timeline. In the Sharjah heat, keep the wound dry and clean and drink plenty of water.
Contact the hospital urgently if the wound leaks, reddens or swells, or you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away with new or worsening weakness or numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, calf swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness.** After any fall or crash with neck or back pain, keep the person still and call an ambulance.
Cost and insurance
Emergency spinal surgery after an injury is generally covered by UAE insurance plans, with the hospital notifying the insurer. Planned follow-up scans and rehabilitation sessions usually need pre-approval, and some plans limit rehabilitation. Road traffic and workplace injuries may involve police, employer or insurer paperwork. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you with approvals on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
What are the risks of spinal fracture surgery?
Spinal fracture surgery carries the risks of any major spinal operation, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, a reaction to the anaesthetic, a leak of spinal fluid and, rarely, injury to the nerves or spinal cord. Screws can loosen or rods break if the bones fail to fuse. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to your injury.
Will surgery reverse paralysis?
Surgery on a fractured or dislocated spine aims to protect the spinal cord and give it the best conditions to recover, but it cannot repair cord damage already done. Recovery depends mainly on how severe the original cord injury was, and the team explains the outlook as it becomes clearer.
Does every broken back need surgery?
Many spinal fractures are stable and heal in a brace with regular X-ray checks, without an operation. Surgery is advised when the spine is unstable, out of line, or pressing on the cord or nerves.
Will the metalwork be removed?
The screws and rods placed for a spinal fracture usually stay in for life, because removing them means a second operation. Occasionally they are removed if they cause discomfort or once healing is complete, and the surgeon discusses this with you.
Will the screws set off airport security?
Spinal screws and rods may occasionally trigger airport metal detectors. Carrying your discharge summary or an implant note makes any security check straightforward.
When can I return to work after a spinal fracture?
Return to work after a spinal fracture depends on the injury, the surgery, any nerve involvement and your type of work. Desk work usually resumes before driving or manual work, and your surgeon plans a phased return with you.
Why was my neck kept in a collar before the scan?
A collar or firm support keeps the neck still after an injury until scans rule out an unstable fracture. Movement of an unstable spine can injure the spinal cord, so the team keeps it protected until the images are reviewed.
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