Wuhan Evening News (Reporter Wang Kaining, Correspondent Gao Xing) "Shen Mengchen's lumbar vertebra bone fracture" became a hot search topic at noon on the 28th. The doctor said that her "left transverse process of the fourth lumbar vertebra was fractured and the bones cannot be reset." Seeing such a statement, many netizens expressed concern. Liu Weijun, director of the Spinal Surgery Center of Wuhan Fourth Hospital, said that the fracture at this location was not serious and would not affect the quality of life in the future.
"A transverse process fracture is a very minor fracture in itself." Liu Weijun explained that the transverse process is an attachment bone on the human spine. It is not the main load-bearing structure, and there are no important nerves around it. It is mainly an attachment point for muscles. . However, there are so many attachment points for the muscles on the lumbar spine. Even if one of them is broken or even one of the lumbar transverse processes is removed, it will not matter much and will basically not have much impact on the quality of life in the future.
According to Liu Weijun, there are 5 human lumbar vertebrae, and each lumbar vertebra has two transverse processes. The main function of the transverse processes is to attach muscles and soft tissues to maintain the balance and strength of muscles. During exercise, because this bone is so small, there is no way to fix it. In many cases, it is a displaced fracture. It is difficult for displaced fractures to heal, but because the structure itself is relatively small, the impact on the muscles is not great, so even if it does not heal, it will not affect the load-bearing function of the spine and the surrounding nerves.
"Doctors sometimes remove the transverse process based on surgical needs." Liu Weijun said, because after the fracture is displaced in this area, it is difficult to maintain a stable state, grow, and heal. But whether it heals or not, it does not affect the function of the spine. Generally, after 3 to 6 weeks of rest, a scar adhesion will form in this area, and the waist pain will be fully relieved. After a period of low back muscle exercise, there will be no effect.
"Even if it is an early transverse process fracture, as long as it is not painful, you can still move. You don't have to worry too much about this kind of fracture." Liu Weijun said.