Spinal compression fractures are one of the most common injuries that we see in our office, especially among post-menopausal women. These fractures tend to be more likely to develop in patients suffering from osteoporosis, and since bone density changes oftentimes go hand in hand with the hormonal changes that occur during and after menopause, it’s easy to see why older women are at a heightened risk for a compression fracture, but know they can affect both sexes at any age.
Compression fractures occur when small breaks or cracks form in the vertebral body of one or more spinal vertebrae, which causes the bone to weaken and collapse. They tend to develop in the thoracic region or the mid-spine, and their presence can cause an individual to take on a more hunched appearance as the bone struggles to handle a normal amount of stress. In today’s blog, we explore how these compression fractures are typically treated.
Causes And Symptoms Of Compression Fractures
As we mentioned above, compression fractures are incredibly common. In fact, medical estimates suggest that roughly one million compression fractures occur each year in the US. Roughly 25 percent of women over the age of 50 have had at least one compression fracture, and that percentage jumps to 50 percent by the age of 80.
Compression fractures can be the result of acute trauma to the spine, like what may occur if you suffer a hard fall, but if you’ve experienced significant bone density loss due to osteoporosis, it may take less traumatic action to cause a fracture to develop. Severe twisting, coughing or even sneezing can overload a vertebral segment and cause a compression fracture to form.
Sometimes the presence of a compression fracture is obvious, but because the cracks can be small and hidden in the mid-spine, they may not present with clear and severe symptoms. It’s possible that your compression fracture is actually mistaken for a different injury like disc degeneration or a pinched nerve. Some symptoms that may suggest you are dealing with a compression fracture include:
- Localized pain
- Decreased spinal mobility
- Tenderness
- A hunched appearance
- Numbness
- Difficulty walking
- Bladder or bowel dysfunction
Treating Spinal Compression Fractures
If you suspect that you are dealing with a spinal compression fracture, set up an appointment with your primary care physician or a spine specialist like Dr. Jackman. They’ll begin by reviewing your medical history, asking about the onset of symptoms and then they’ll conduct a physical exam. To confirm their suspicions, they’ll likely order imaging tests like an X-ray or an MRI. Not only will this highlight the presence of a fracture, but it will also give the doctor a better understanding of how the compression fracture is affecting the integrity of your spine.
For mild or moderate compression fractures that are considered stable, your doctor will likely recommend that you pursue a conservative treatment plan. Rest, activity modification, pain medications and some gentle physical therapy once healing has started to take place can oftentimes help the fracture site heal and ensure you restore strength and flexibility in the area. These types of fractures typically heal well over the course of 2-3 months.
In the event that pain persists despite your best conservative efforts, or your doctor diagnoses you with an unstable fracture, more hands-on treatment may be required. In most instances, surgery is recommended in order to stabilize the fracture site and provide the right environment for healing to take place. A couple different procedures may be used based on your specific fracture pattern.
- Vertebroplasty – A procedure in which bone cement is injected into the area, which then hardens to stabilize the area.
- Kyphoplasty – A special tube is inserted into the area before a small balloon is inflated to restore height to the compressed vertebra. Bone cement is then injected into this newly-created space to eventually stabilize the area.
- Spinal Fusion – This surgery involves fusing two adjacent vertebral segments together to limit painful movement.
All of these procedures have high rates of success, but oftentimes the compression fracture will heal enough through conservative treatments that an operation is not necessary. Dr. Jackman is confident that he can find the right type of treatment for your vertebral compression fracture.
For more information about compression fractures, or to talk with a specialist about a different spine issue you’re dealing with, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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