Explore
- Osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones that can occur in postmenopausal women and older men
- Injuries
- Tumors
How do I choose the best compression fracture treatment?
Treatment options
- Compression fracture. Two procedures are usually done if surgery is needed to repair a compressed vertebra. ...
- Burst fracture. For a burst fracture, treatment options include operating from the front of the body to perform a corpectomy.
- Chance fracture. ...
- Fracture-dislocation. ...
What is the recovery time for a compression fracture?
The thinning bones can collapse during normal activity, leading to a spinal compression fracture. Spinal compression fractures are the most common type of osteoporotic fractures. These vertebral fractures can permanently alter the shape and strength of the spine. The fractures usually heal on their own and the pain goes away.
Can spinal compression fractures heal on their own?
Treat Spinal Compression Fractures Without Surgery
- Pain Medicine. You can often get relief with an over-the counter drug like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. ...
- Rest. You don't want to overdo it with activity, but you also don't want to stop moving entirely. ...
- Physical Therapy. Once you're feeling better, ask your doctor if you should join a rehab program or work with a physical therapist.
- Bracing. ...
How to treat spinal compression fractures without surgery?
How serious is a spinal compression fracture?
Spine compression fractures are serious, and they can cause painful or debilitating symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. Fortunately, treatment can help repair the damage and relieve symptoms.
How long does it take for a spinal compression fracture to stop hurting?
Pain from a spinal compression fracture allowed to heal naturally can last as long as three months. But the pain usually improves significantly in a matter of days or weeks. Pain management may include analgesic pain medicines, bed rest, back bracing, and physical activity.
How painful is compression fracture?
Some people feel almost no symptoms from spinal compression fractures. The cracks may happen so gradually that the pain is relatively mild or unnoticeable. For others, the pain may turn into a chronic backache in the injured area.
What happens if a compression fracture goes untreated?
If left untreated, spinal fractures can lead to permanent spinal cord injury, nerve damage and paralysis. Types of spinal fractures are: Compression fracture: A compression fracture is usually caused by osteoporosis, a tumor or other abnormalities in the spine.
Is bed rest good for compression fracture?
In conclusion, the short term bed rest period is recommended in compression fracture patients to reduce the treatment period and inconvenience of the patients.
Is a compression fracture considered a broken back?
A compression fracture occurs when the front of a vertebra breaks and loses a little of its height, but the back of that vertebra remains intact. Symptoms include pain in the back and sometimes in the arms or legs.
Can you make a compression fracture worse?
Any activity that places pressure on the spine, such as standing upright or lifting a heavy object incorrectly, can aggravate the fractured vertebra and induce severe pain.
Do compression fractures heal in the elderly?
Most patients can make a full recovery or at least significant improvements from their compression fracture after six to 12 weeks, and can return to a normal exercise program after the fracture has fully healed.
Overview
Compression fractures are small breaks or cracks in the vertebrae (the bones that make up your spinal column). The breaks happen in the vertebral body, which is the thick, rounded part on the front of each vertebra. Fractures in the bone cause the spine to weaken and collapse. Over time, these fractures affect posture.
Symptoms and Causes
Compression fracture symptoms range from mild to severe. Some people may not have symptoms. Their provider may discover the fracture when they do an X-ray for another condition. But many people are unable to stand or walk without pain. Symptoms of a fractured spine include:
Diagnosis and Tests
To diagnose a compression fracture, your provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. During the exam, your provider:
Management and Treatment
Compression fracture treatment focuses on relieving pain, stabilizing the bones in the spine and preventing another fracture. Depending on the severity of the fracture and your overall health, treatment may include:
Prevention
You may not always be able to prevent compression fractures. To reduce your risk of a compression fracture from osteoporosis, you should:
Living With
If you have sudden back pain that doesn’t get better after a day or two, see your provider. It’s important to get an evaluation for back pain so your provider can determine the cause and plan treatment. Call your provider right away if you’re over 65 or you have osteoporosis or a history of cancer.
What is the procedure for spinal compression fracture?
Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty. These procedures for spinal compression fractures involve small, minimally invasive incisions, so they require very little healing time. They also use acrylic bone cement that hardens quickly, stabilizing the spinal bone fragments and therefore stabilizing the spine immediately.
How long does a spinal compression fracture last?
Nonsurgical Treatment for Spinal Compression Fractures. Pain from a spinal compression fracture allowed to heal naturally can last as long as three months. But the pain usually improves significantly in a matter of days or weeks. Pain management may include analgesic pain medicines, bed rest, back bracing, and physical activity.
How to fix a fractured vertebrae?
Vertebroplasty. This procedure is effective for relieving pain from spinal compression fractures and helping to stabilize the fracture. During this procedure: 1 A needle is inserted into the damaged vertebrae. 2 X-rays help ensure that it's done with accuracy. 3 The doctor injects a bone cement mixture into the fractured vertebrae. 4 The cement mixture hardens in about 10 minutes. 5 The patient typically goes home the same day or after a one-night hospital stay.
What is the next step for a spinal fracture?
When chronic painfrom a spinal compression fracture persists despite rest, activity modification, back bracing, and pain medication, surgery is the next step. Surgical procedures used to treat spinal fractures are:
What are the drawbacks of spinal fusion surgery?
There are drawbacks to spinal fusion surgery. It eliminates the natural movement of the two vertebrae, which limits the person's movement. Also , it puts more stress on vertebrae next to the fusion - increasing the chance of fracture in those vertebrae.
What is the best treatment for osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis treatment. Bone-strengthening drugs such as bisphosphonates (such as Actonel, Boniva, and Fosamax) help stabilize or restore bone loss. This is a critical part of treatment to help prevent further compression fractures. Surgical Treatment for Spinal Compression Fractures. When chronic pain from a spinal compression fracture persists ...
What is the treatment for a fractured vertebrae?
The doctor injects a bone cement mixture into the fractured vertebrae.
What is the best treatment for a compression fracture?
Over the counter (ie: NSAIDs) or prescription strength (ie: muscle relaxants) pain medication may be used to help treat the pain resulting from a compression fracture.
What to do if your doctor feels you're at risk of more fractures?
If your doctor feels you’re at risk of more fractures, (s)he may recommend medications be used to help reduce your risk.
What is the shape of the spine?
Our spines are a column of many individual bones (vertebra), separated by cushion-like discs (inter-vertebral discs). The shape of each vertebra is complex and is made up of a central almost-circular “body” and a more irregular shaped “arch”. The vertebral body is the load-bearing part, separated from each adjacent vertebra by a disc.
Can you get a compression fracture from a fall?
Individuals with less severe osteoporosis can still get a compression fracture, although it may take more force for the fracture to occur. Compression fractures in individuals with no underlying spine conditions is usually the result of an accident or fall.
What is a Compression Fracture?
A compression fracture is a type of broken bone that can cause your vertebrae to collapse, making them shorter. This often happens to the front of the vertebrae but not the back, causing you to stoop forward over time.Compression fractures are caused by:
How to reduce risk of fracture?
You can reduce your risk for a compression fracture by taking a few key steps , similar to the precautions for avoiding osteoporosis: Consume enough vitamin D and calcium — including such calcium-rich foods as milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, sardines and broccoli.
What is the term for a weakening of the bones that can occur in postmenopausal women?
Osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones that can occur in postmenopausal women and older men
Does lying on your back make it worse?
Slowly worsening back pain — lying on your back may relieve the pain and standing may make it worse. Decreased height. Stooped-over posture. Numbness or tingling, weak muscles, problems walking and (possible) trouble controlling your bowels or bladder because of nerve damage.
What is the best treatment for spinal compression fracture?
The two most successful surgical treatment types for spinal compression fractures are: Kyphoplasty: Patients undergoing this minimally invasive surgery will have a thin tube called a catheter inserted in the back into the damaged vertebrae by their orthopedic surgeon.
What is spinal compression fracture?
A common injury among older adults is called a spinal compression fracture, which occurs when one or more of the spinal bones, called vertebrae, collapse. These fractures can happen to anyone, but are more common among older women with osteoporosis. In fact, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons estimates that spinal compression fractures affect as many as 1 in every 4 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in the U.S. and as many as 40% of women age 80 and older. Unfortunately, those who have had one osteoporotic spinal compression fracture have a fivefold risk of having another, making it very important to reduce the likelihood of falls.
How long does it take for a bone cement injection to harden?
Bone cement mixture is injected into the fractured vertebrae, which hardens in about 10 minutes. Vertebroplasty is effective at relieving pain and stabilizing spinal compression fractures.
How to heal a spinal fracture?
Many who suffer a spinal compression fracture heal with nonsurgical treatments. Your orthopedic/spine specialist may recommend physical therapy, a well-fitted back brace, pain medication, bone density stabilizing medication, and activity modifications. Your doctor will also help advise how to prevent future falls if it was a fall ...
How long does it take for a vertebrae to harden?
Bone cement mixture is injected into the fractured vertebrae, which hardens in about 10 minutes. Vertebroplasty is effective at relieving pain and stabilizing spinal compression fractures.
Why is it important to get a diagnosis of multiple vertebral fractures?
Because of this, it’s very important to get an accurate diagnosis from an orthopedic physician, who will help customize your treatment plan and help you avoid future fractures.
How to make an appointment with Comprehensive Spine Institute?
To make an appointment with Comprehensive Spine Institute, please call (727) 300-2537 today.
Why do people with osteoporosis have compression fractures?
This is much more commonly the cause. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes a thinning of the bone. As the bone thins out, it is less able to support a load. Therefore, patients with osteoporosis may develop compression fractures without severe injuries, even in their daily activities.
How long does it take for a compression fracture to heal?
Compression fractures tend to heal completely in about 8 to 12 weeks. 5 Patients who have one compression fracture are much more likely to have more, and, therefore, prevention of future compression fractures must be addressed.
Why do vertebrae curve when fractured?
When the vertebral fracture is due to osteoporosis, you may not have symptoms at first. Patients with osteoporosis who sustain multiple compression fractures may begin to notice a curving of the spine, like a hunchback, called a kyphotic deformity or dowager's hump. The reason for this is the vertebrae are compressed in front, and usually normal in back. 2
What is the most common type of vertebral fracture?
The most common type of vertebral fracture is called a compression fracture. A compression fracture occurs when the normal vertebral body of the spine is squished, or compressed, to a smaller height. This injury tends to happen in three groups of people: 1 . People who are involved in traumatic accidents. When a load placed on the vertebrae ...
What is the procedure called when you have a fractured vertebra?
If the pain is severe, and collapse is becoming problematic, a procedure called vertebroplasty may be considered. In this procedure, a physician injects cement into the vertebra to stabilize the fracture and prevent further collapse. Sometimes, the height of the bone may be restored as well. 4
What is the most common symptom of a compression fracture?
Back pain is by far the most common symptom in patients with a compression fracture. You may experience sudden, severe back pain, or it may be more gradual in onset. In more severe traumatic injuries, the cause of the compression fracture is clear. In other situations where the bone is weakened by osteoporosis or another condition, ...
What is the normal shape of the vertebral column?
A normal vertebral column is straight when viewed front to back, but has a smooth S-shaped curved when seen from the side. The vertebrae together form the vertebral column and surround the spinal canal, which contains the spinal cord.
What is the Treatment for Spine Compression Fracture?
Thankfully, treatment for compression fractures is fairly conservative and treatable. The majority of fractures can heal with a combined effort that includes reducing your activity, medications to stabilize density of your bones, and a good back brace to minimize your movement during your journey to health.
What Causes Compression Fractures?
The major cause of a compression fracture is osteoporosis. You may be wondering, what is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis occurs when there is an imbalance between the new bone formation in your body and the old bone resorption. Meaning that your body may be failing at forming new bones or maybe the old bone is being reabsorbed. If calcium intake is not sufficient the bodies bone production and bone tissue may suffer. This results in weak and fragile bones that may break easier. In other words, osteoporosis weakens the bones making them highly susceptible to compression fractures.
What is the Difference Between a Wedge Compression Fracture, Crush Fracture, and Burst Fracture?
For example, the term wedge fracture means that the vertebrae were fractured at the front of the bone in the front of the spine. This leaves the back unchanged, which results in a wedged shaped vertebrae. A crush fracture is when the entire bone breaks, rather than just the front of the vertebrae. A burst fracture is when there is height loss in both the front and the back of the vertebra. Knowing which type of fracture you have is important because of the long-term effects of the different breakages. For example, a burst fracture has many more long-term implications that may include progressive deformity or neurological compromise.
What is the procedure to fix a fractured spine?
However, some people may have to turn to surgery if conservative methods aren’t doing the trick. The most common surgical options are lumbar fusions and vertebroplasty. A lumbar infusion joins the bones of the spine together so there is no longer any movement between them. In a vertebroplasty, the surgeon injects bone cement into the fractured bone to provide stability. If you would like more information on these procedures, consult with your doctor.
Where does a compression fracture occur?
A compression fracture of the back happens when your vertebrae, or bones of the spine, break. Compression fractures can occur anywhere in the spine, but most commonly in the lower thoracic spine and upper lumbar spine. If you’re wondering if the pain you are experiencing is a compression fracture, reference the graphic below.
What is the most common cause of osteoporosis?
The leading cause of osteoporosis is lack of hormones. Estrogen for women and androgen for men. Women over the age of 50 are the most likely to experience osteoporosis and compression fractures. The main symptoms of multiple compression fractures include height loss, kyphosis, and a bulging stomach.
Why is it important to know what type of fracture you have?
Knowing which type of fracture you have is important because of the long-term effects of the different breakages. For example, a burst fracture has many more long-term implications that may include progressive deformity or neurological compromise.
What to do if you have a compression fracture?
You want to ease the pain, heal the fracture, and treat the osteoporosis that weakened your bones and caused them to collapse .
How long does it take for a compression fracture to heal?
Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.
How to heal a spinal fracture without surgery?
WebMD describes ways to relieve pain and heal spinal compression fractures without surgery, including physical therapy, rest, and back braces.
Why do you wear a back brace?
Wearing a back brace when you have a spinal compression fracture is similar to wearing a cast when you have a broken arm. It's made of a rigid frame that takes pressure off the painful bone and limits your movement. It gives your injured vertebrae -- the small bones that make up your spinal column -- time to heal.
How long does it take to get back into your routine after a sprain?
After several days or as soon as you start to feel better, gradually ease back into your old routine. For a few weeks or months you may still need to avoid heavy exercise that could make your injury worse. Ask your doctor when it's safe for you to get active again and what the best ways to get moving are.
What is the best medicine for pain?
Pain Medicine. You can often get relief with an over-the counter drug like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check with your doctor to see which one is right for you. Your doctor might prescribe a stronger medicine for more intense or persistent pain. The doctor might also suggest you take the hormone calcitonin.
What type of medicine can prevent more bone lossand reduce fracture risk?
Bisphosphonates. This type of medicine can prevent more bone lossand reduce fracture risk. Some examples include:
What is the treatment for a vertebral compression fracture?
Treatment for painful fractures starts with over-the-counter analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).
Why is it important to select the right patients for a compression fracture?
Selecting the right patients helps avoid complications. For example, someone with a compression fracture greater than 70% of the height of the vertebral body isn't a good candidate for either procedure, says Dr. Pan, because there's too little room for the needle and cement, and leaking becomes more likely.
What happens when a vertebral fracture occurs?
When a vertebral fracture occurs, the vertebral body (the front portion of the vertebra) collapses on itself. One or two fractures can cause a loss of height; if several vertebrae collapse, it can result in a marked curvature of the spinal column.
How do vertebral fractures affect the spine?
Caused by a number of factors, including degenerative changes in joints, disks, and bones, kyphosis can profoundly affect appearance, mobility, and health. The spine becomes progressively more misaligned. The upper body is pitched forward and rounded. The space between the ribs and pelvis closes; the chest wall is cramped; and the abdominal organs get scrunched, causing the abdomen to bulge forward. In very severe cases, breathing may be difficult, and digestion impaired.
How common are vertebral fractures?
Vertebral fractures are twice as common as hip fractures; about 25% of postmenopausal women have had at least one. Unlike hip fractures, which almost always result from a fall, vertebral fractures usually involve little or no trauma.
What are the effects of multiple vertebral fractures?
The cumulative effect of multiple fractures can be devastating. Chronic pain, disability, and difficulty engaging in normal activities of daily life can lead to isolation, problems with relationships, and emotional difficulties — including depression , which develops in 40% of people with vertebral fractures.
What are the consequences of a vertebral fracture?
It doesn't snap like a twig, or like a broken leg or arm. Instead, it collapses, the way a paper cup is crushed when you step on it. The common term for this kind of break is compression fracture.
