What is a compression fracture?
A compression fracture is a small break in one of your vertebrae (spinal bones). Unlike other spinal conditions, compression fractures are most common in the thoracic (middle) spine. They can come from sudden traumatic injuries, such as car accident injuries, or they can accumulate over time due to osteoporosis. This bone-weakening condition puts you at risk for fractures.
The symptoms of a compression fracture may be mild, severe, or in between. Signs and symptoms of one or multiple compression fractures include:
- Back pain
- Decreased spinal mobility
- Increased spinal curvature (often leading to a dowager’s hump)
- Pinched nerves
- Reduced height
Symptoms like reduced height and increased spinal curvature appear over time, as many vertebral fractures affect your spine, which causes it to slowly collapse. In fact, most compression fractures are the result of osteoporosis.
How are compression fractures treated?
Your treatment for compression fractures at Alturas Pain & Spine Specialists depends on the cause of the injury and the number of fractures you have.
Rapid treatment of compression fractures is recommended to prevent further height loss and reduce the pain associated with the broken vertebrae. A minimally invasive procedure called kyphoplasty is often recommended. Kyphoplasty involves placing bone cement in the broken vertebrae to create an “internal cast.” This procedure can help restore your mobility and function after a compression fracture in the spine.
If you have osteoporosis, you might also benefit from medications that stabilize or strengthen your bones.
To schedule an evaluation and treatment consultation for compression fractures, call Alturas Pain & Spine Specialists, or book an appointment online today.
