Compression Fracture

Osteoporotic & Vertebral Compression Fractures

Characterized by a loss of bone density, osteoporosis weakens bones and increases the risk of fracture. One of the most common osteoporosis complications is vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), which affect hundreds of thousands of U.S. patients every year. VCFs can be very painful, but in other cases, people believe symptoms to be part of the normal aging process. Whether painful or not, untreated compression fractures can lead to additional fractures, spinal deformity and gradual loss of day-to-day function.

What Are Compression Fractures?

The spinal column consists of 34 individual bones, called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are intervertebral discs that allow spinal flexion while cushioning and absorbing the stress and shock incurred by body movements. Compression fractures often occur when the vertebrae collapse, which may result from a minor fall or day-to-day bending and lifting.

Symptoms of Compression Fractures

In addition to pain, vertebral compression fractures may also cause:

• Loss of height / shrinking with age
• Kyphosis (hunchback)
• Loss of balance
• Neurological symptoms like numbness, tingling or weakness
• Increased risk of additional falls & fractures

Causes of Compression Fractures

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of vertebral compression fractures, particularly in older adults. Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more prone to fractures eben with minor stress or injury. The weakened vertebrae can collapse or compress, leading to a compression fracture.

Other causes of VCFs include:

• Trauma: A sudden and forceful impact, such as a fall or car accident
• Pathological fractures: Occurs when a bone is weakened by an underlying condition, such as cancer or injection
• Repetitive stress: Heavy lifting or certain physical activities can weaken the vertebrae over time

Treatment for Compression Fractures

Most compression fracture cases can be successfully treated using medications to relieve pain, along with bedrest and back bracing. Spinal braces help relieve pain by immobilizing the fracture and reducing the height loss that occurs as a result of the compression. The brace is discontinued when x-rays show fracture healing and no change in position of the vertebrae.

In rare instances, severe compression fractures may require surgery to implant spinal hardware like hooks, rods, plates or screws. These components are used to fuse vertebrae together, increase spinal stability and reduce the chances of subsequent injury. Recovery from this type of procedure can take several months.

Princeton Brain, Spine & Sports Medicine neurosurgeons also offer minimally invasive techniques to treat compression fractures. These include vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, which use orthopedic cement to rebuild the vertebral space and return it to its original height. These procedures help to relieve pain, prevent deformity and reduce the chance of future spine fracture by strengthening weak vertebral bodies. Most patients experience immediate pain relief after these minimally invasive procedures, and they are able to return quickly to daily activities.