Elevator free fall causes woman to break spine

An unexpected accident caused the elevator cable system to break, the elevator cabin fell straight from a height of about 4 meters, causing a 39-year-old woman (in Tay Ninh) to break her spine.

She was immediately taken to the emergency room at Xuyen A Tay Ninh General Hospital. At the Emergency Department, doctors quickly coordinated with other departments to conduct an examination and ordered a CT scan. The results showed that the patient had a fracture of the L1 spine, a fracture of the right L1 transverse process, the left L2, and a fracture of the heel of both legs.

This is considered a serious injury. If not treated promptly, the patient may face the risk of spinal instability, spinal cord injury leading to paralysis of the lower limbs, and disorders of movement and urination.

After a quick consultation, the patient was scheduled for minimally invasive surgery to insert screws through the lumbar spine. The surgery lasted over an hour and was a great success. The patient then underwent surgery to fuse the two heel bones with the Orthopedic Trauma Team.

One day after surgery, the patient was awake, had significantly reduced pain, and was able to move lightly. On the 7th day, the patient's condition was stable, with no signs of infection or complications. The patient is being instructed in physical therapy to quickly recover mobility and return to normal activities.

Doctor examines patient

PHOTO: XA

On July 17, specialist doctor Ho Hoai Hung, Head of the Department of Neurosurgery, said that the patient's case is typical of spinal trauma due to a serious domestic accident. Fortunately, the injury has not completely compressed the spinal cord, so if surgery is performed promptly, the possibility of recovery is very promising.

"We used percutaneous screw technique to reduce soft tissue trauma, less blood loss, helping patients quickly stabilize after surgery. Multidisciplinary coordination between Neurosurgery and Orthopedics is also an important factor in helping patients receive comprehensive and effective treatment," Dr. Hung shared.

Work, daily life, sports or traffic accidents can all cause spinal injuries, a dangerous condition that can leave lifelong consequences. Early detection and proper treatment are key.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thang-may-roi-tu-do-khien-mot-nguoi-phu-nu-gay-cot-song-185250716195104934.htm