Compression fractures of the back are broken vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine.
Alternative NamesVertebral compression fractures
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsIn a compression fracture of the vertebra, the vertebral bone collapses. More than one vertebra may be affected. This condition may be caused by:
When the fracture occurs as a result of osteoporosis, the vertebrae in the chest (thoracic) or the lower back are usually affected. During the early stages, a break in the bone can get worse without any symptoms. Pain or other symptoms may be worse with walking, and are often not present when resting.
Multiple fractures may lead to kyphosis, a hump-like curvature of the spine (like the Hunchback of Notre Dame).
SymptomsCompression fractures may cause no symptoms and only be discovered when x-rays of the spine are done for other reasons. Over time, the following symptoms may occur:
Compression fractures may also occur suddenly, causing severe back pain that is:
Pressure on the spinal cord from kyphosis may rarely produce symptoms of:
Signs and testsOther tests that may be done:
Most compression fractures are found in elderly patients with osteoporosis. These fractures generally do not cause injury to the spinal cord. In these patients, the osteoporosis is treated with prescription medications and calcium supplements.
Otherwise, the pain from these fractures is treated with pain medicines and bed rest at first. Narcotics are often needed. Some health care providers recommend back braces, but these may further weaken the bones and increase your risk of developing more fractures in the future.
Patients may benefit from some physical therapy to help with movement and building up muscle strength around the spine.
Surgery is rarely considered. However, if 2 months or more of bed rest, pain medicines, and physical therapy cannot relieve the back pain, surgery can be option. Two minimally invasive techniques are available:
If the fracture is caused by a tumor, a piece of the bone may need to be surgically removed and examined under a microscope (biopsy). Then the tumor is treated.
Fractures from trauma often require a brace for 6 - 10 weeks to protect the bone as it heals. If there is bone in the spinal canal, you may need surgery to remove the bone and fuse the vertebrae together to stabilize the spine.
Surgery is almost always necessary if there is any loss of function because of bone pressing on the spinal cord or spinal nerves.
Expectations (prognosis)Most compression fractures from trauma will heal in 8 - 10 weeks with rest, bracing, and pain medications. Recovery time will be many weeks longer if surgery is necessary.
Fractures due to osteoprosis usually become less painful with rest and pain medications, but some can cause chronic pain and disability.
While medications to treat osteoporosis can help prevent future fractures, the collapse of the vertebrae that has already occurred cannot be reversed.
For compression fractures caused by tumors, the outcome depends on the type of tumor involved. Some common tumors that involve the spine include:
ComplicationsCall your health care provider if you have back pain and suspect you may have a compression fracture.
PreventionTreating and preventing osteoporosis is the most effective way to prevent these fractures.
ReferencesWardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-24.
Freedman BA, Potter BK, Nesti LJ, Giuliani JR, Hampton C, Kuklo TR. Osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures-continued missed opportunities. Spine J. 2008;8:756-762.
Kim DH, Vaccaro AR. Osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine; current options and considerations for treatment. Spine J. 2006 Sep-Oct;6(5):479-87.
Compression fractures of the back are broken vertebrae, which are the bones of the spine.
Alternative NamesVertebral compression fractures
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsCompression fractures of the vertebra may be caused by:
Multiple fractures may lead to kyphosis, a hump-like curvature of the spine.
SymptomsCompression fractures may occur suddenly, causing severe Back pain that is:
Compression fractures due to osteoporosis may cause no symptoms at first and may only be discovered when x-rays of the spine are done for other reasons. Over time, the following symptoms may occur:
Pressure on the spinal cord from hunched over posture may rarely produce symptoms of:
Signs and testsYour doctor will perform a physical exam. This may reveal:
A spine x-rayshows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebrae.
Other tests that may be done:
Most compression fractures are seen in older people with osteoporosis. These fractures generally do not cause injury to the spinal cord. The condition is usually treated with medicines and calcium supplements to prevent further fractures.
Pain may be treated with:
Other treatments may include:
Surgery may be done if you have severe and disabling pain for more than 2 months that does not get better with other treatments. Surgery can include:
Other surgery may be done to remove some bone if the fracture is due to a tumor.
After surgery you may need:
Most compression fractures due to injury heal in 8 - 10 weeks with rest, bracing, and pain medications. However, recovery can take much longer if you had surgery.
Fractures due to osteoprosis usually become less painful with rest and pain medications, but some can lead to long-term (chronic) pain and disability.
Medicines to treat osteoporosis can help prevent future fractures. However, they cannot reverse damage that has already occured.
For compression fractures caused by tumors, the outcome depends on the type of tumor involved. Some common tumors that involve the spine include:
Complications may include:
Call your health care provider if:
Treating and preventing osteoporosis is the most effective way to prevent these fractures.
ReferencesKlazen CA, Lohle PN, de Vries J, et al. Vertebroplasty versus conservative treatment in acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (Vertos II): an open-label randomised trial. Lancet. 2010 Sep 25;376(9746):1085-92.
Wardlaw D, Cummings SR, Van Meirhaeghe J, et al. Efficacy and safety of balloon kyphoplasty compared with non-surgical care for vertebral compression fracture (FREE): a randomised controlled trial. Lancet. 2009;373(9668):1016-24.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 12/01/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Compression fractures can be caused by osteoporosis, trauma inflicted on the back, and tumors that have started in the bone. Tumors that occur in the spine also cause compression fractures.
Yes, because it will help with the swelling associated with compression fractures and keep that under control.
multiple schmorl's nodes, compression fractures and back pain in an adolescent, most often male
Compression fractures are most common along the spine involving the vertebrae. This is when a bone in the spine collapses and is most commonly found in the thoracic area of the spine.
percutaneous vertebroplasty
its the fracture of the lumbar spine at the level of the lower back above the sacral spine its caused by sitting or falling down on your back people with osteoporosis have fractures of the lower back easier due to their bones being brittle.
A compression fracture occurs when the bones are broken due to some type of trauma. Usually, the trauma, has to be quite large in order to break the bone.
My presumption is tetanus, or lockjaw. Assuming by disorder you mean disease.
If your car seems to be losing power, you should check the compression of the engine.A patient who has received severe burns may require a compression bandage while he heals.Osteoporosis may cause compression fractures as the bones weaken and become more fragile.The forces of tension and compression work together to make bridges strong enough to hold considerable weight.
Side effects may include back, muscle, bone or joint pain, stomach pain or upset, or constipation. Other frequent side effects include wrist fractures, spine fractures, shoulder fractures and hip fractures.
Fractures are broken bones. Most fractures occur from: * Sudden accelleration or decelleration -- car collisions, falls * Torsion -- sharp twists -- side car collisions etc. * Penetration trauma -- bullet wounds * Crushing or compression -- car acciddents, something falling on you * Repetitive Impact (jumping up and down for a few hours on a very hard surface can cause shin splints -- small, linear stress fractures).
l