UVA Health · New patientsUVA Health · Charlottesville · New patients
General
Fractures and ligament injuries of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine — from falls, collisions, or fractures through brittle bone. Some are stable; others threaten the cord or alignment and need urgent stabilization.
Trauma care is about protecting the neurologic structures and restoring a stable column. Dr. Li has published on reduction and stabilization of extension-distraction injuries in ankylosing spondylitis — a pattern that is easy to miss and dangerous if undertreated.
When a vertebral body is destroyed, a corpectomy (removing the broken body and reconstructing the column) may be required, approached from the side or the back depending on the level.
FAQ
Fractures and ligament injuries of the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine — from falls, collisions, or fractures through brittle bone. Some are stable; others threaten the cord or alignment and need urgent stabilization.
Severe spinal pain after injury; Numbness, weakness, or inability to move; In ankylosing spines: pain after even a minor fall; A step-off or visible deformity.
When a vertebral body is destroyed, a corpectomy (removing the broken body and reconstructing the column) may be required, approached from the side or the back depending on the level.
Appointments
New patients are welcome. Call the spine clinic or send a note — the team will help you find the right visit.