Question
My wife was in a motorcycle accident in oct 07 and fractured two vertebrae.
She is in constant pain. Her doctor told her to wait it out for a year and see
where she is.
She is very depressed and almost suicidal over the pain and just not being
able to function.
Any suggestions?

Answer
Dear Bob,

The best advice I can give you is go and get a second opinion.  Depending on what type of fractures she has sustained will determine the treatment course.  Even stable fractures may need to be treated depending on the damage.  

For instance:  compression fractures are viewed as stable fractures, however, there are procedures in place that can correct the loss of vertebral body height while decreasing pain such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.  These procedures need to be performed within a timely manner after the fracture has occurred to be successful. The surgeins who perfomr these procedures are interventional radiologists, and orthopedists. On the other hand, a transverse process or spinous process fracture will likely not be treated in any manner unless she is having significant pain or limitation from the injury.  At that point, they may just remove the bone fragment.

Bottom line: I do not know what type of fracture she has, and that will determine the appropriate course of action.  See another doctor and get a second opinion.  Have then specifically diagnose what type of fracture she has, and outline what treatments are available.  Afterward, research her injury on the Internet and compare the information to what the doctors have said so that you can get contrasting opinions and understand the anatomy and injury better.

Good luck Bob.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net