What are the symptoms of spinal compression fractures? How are spinal compression fractures diagnosed and treated? Get the answers.

Symptoms of Spinal Compression Fractures

The main symptom of a spinal compression fracture is back pain. This pain may start gradually and worsen over time or come on suddenly and sharply. It’s important for individuals, especially women over the age of 50, to report any back pain to their doctor, as compression fractures are often caused by osteoporosis.

In addition to back pain, spinal compression fractures can also cause:

• Pain that gets worse when standing or walking, but improves when lying down
• Difficulty bending or twisting the body
• Loss of height
• A curved, stooped appearance to the spine (kyphosis)

The pain is often triggered by minor activities like lifting, bending, or slipping. For many people, the pain will decrease as the bone heals, which can take 2-3 months. However, some individuals may continue to experience chronic pain even after the fracture has healed.

Signs of Multiple Spinal Compression Fractures

When an individual has multiple spinal compression fractures, the symptoms can become more severe. As the vertebrae collapse, it can lead to:

• Significant height loss
• Pronounced kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine)
• Digestive issues like constipation, poor appetite, and weight loss due to compression of the stomach
• Hip pain from the rib cage rubbing against the hipbones
• Breathing difficulties if the spine is severely compressed

The symptoms can vary from person to person, so it’s important for individuals experiencing any back pain or other problems to consult their doctor.

Diagnosing Spinal Compression Fractures

To diagnose a spinal compression fracture, a doctor may order several tests, including:

1. Spinal X-ray to determine if a vertebra has collapsed
2. CT scan to provide detailed images of the fractured bone and surrounding nerves
3. MRI scan to show greater detail of the nerves and discs
4. Bone density exam (DEXA) with a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA)
5. Bone biopsy, in rare cases, to determine if the fracture is caused by cancer

The doctor may also ask the patient questions about the duration and cause of the back pain, as well as any other symptoms they are experiencing.

Treatment of Spinal Compression Fractures

The treatment for a spinal compression fracture will depend on the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health. Options may include:

• Pain medication to manage discomfort
• Bracing or other supportive devices to stabilize the spine
• Physical therapy to strengthen the back and improve mobility
• Minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty to reinforce the fractured vertebra
• Surgery, in some cases, to stabilize the spine or address underlying issues

The goal of treatment is to alleviate pain, prevent further fractures, and help the individual regain as much function and mobility as possible.

Preventing Spinal Compression Fractures

To reduce the risk of spinal compression fractures, especially in individuals with osteoporosis, the following steps can be helpful:

1. Maintaining a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
2. Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the bones
3. Avoiding activities that put excessive strain on the spine, such as heavy lifting
4. Treating underlying conditions like osteoporosis with medication and lifestyle changes

By being proactive about spinal health and seeking prompt medical attention for any back pain or other symptoms, individuals can help prevent the onset and progression of spinal compression fractures.

Managing Symptoms and Improving Outcomes

If an individual is diagnosed with a spinal compression fracture, it’s important to follow the recommended treatment plan and work closely with their healthcare team. This may involve a combination of pain management, physical therapy, and potentially minimally invasive or surgical interventions.

By addressing the underlying causes, such as osteoporosis, and implementing a comprehensive treatment approach, individuals with spinal compression fractures can often improve their symptoms, regain mobility, and reduce their risk of future fractures.

Conclusion

Spinal compression fractures can be a serious and debilitating condition, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, many individuals can find relief and improve their overall quality of life. By understanding the symptoms, seeking medical attention, and following a personalized treatment plan, individuals with spinal compression fractures can work towards a successful recovery and prevention of future fractures.

Symptoms of Spinal Compression Fractures

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• Symptoms
• Different Signs of Spinal Compression Fractures
• Signs of Multiple Spinal Compression Fractures
• Diagnosing Spinal Compression Fractures

The main symptom you’ll notice with a spinal compression fracture is back pain. It may start gradually and get worse over time or come on suddenly and sharply. But regardless of how it happens, it’s important to let your doctor know about it, especially if you’re a woman who is near or over age 50.

Most compression fractures — tiny cracks in the bones of your spine, or vertebra — in women at this age happen because of osteoporosis, a condition defined by bones that are weak and brittle. Treatment of a compression fracture can help lower your risk for more fractures.

Along with back pain, spinal compression fractures also can cause:

• Pain that gets worse when you stand or walk but with some relief when you lie down
• Trouble bending or twisting your body
• Loss of height
• A curved, stooped shape to your spine

The pain typically happens with a slight back strain during an everyday activity like:

• Lifting a bag of groceries
• Bending to the floor to pick something up
• Slipping on a rug or making a misstep
• Lifting a suitcase out of the trunk of a car
• Lifting the corner of a mattress when changing bed linens

For many people, a spinal compression fracture will hurt less as the bone heals. That can take up to 2 or 3 months. Other people will still have pain after the fracture has healed.

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.

When you have multiple spinal compression fractures, your spine will change a lot. Part of your vertebrae may collapse because the cracks mean it can’t support the weight of your spine. That can affect how your body works. Symptoms include:

• Height loss. With each fracture of a spinal bone, the spine gets a little bit shorter. Eventually, after several vertebrae have collapsed, you will look noticeably shorter.
• Kyphosis (curved back): When vertebrae collapse, they form a wedge shape, which makes the spine bend forward. Eventually, you’ll have neck and back pain as your body tries to adapt.
• Stomach problems: A shorter spine can compress your stomach, causing digestive problems like constipation, a weak appetite, and weight loss.
• Hip pain: The shorter spine brings your rib cage closer to your hipbones. If those bones are rubbing against each other, it can hurt.
• Breathing problems: If the spine is severely compressed, your lungs may not work properly and you can have trouble breathing.

Symptoms are different for everyone, so let your doctor know if you’re feeling back pain or other problems. They can help you find out what’s causing it.

Symptoms are different for everyone, so let your doctor know if you’re feeling back pain or other problems.  They may ask questions like:

• How long have you had this back pain?
• What caused it?
• What were you doing when it started?
• Is the pain getting worse or better?

Your doctor may also prescribe tests including:

• A spinal X-ray to determine whether a vertebra has collapsed
• A CT scan to provide detail of the fractured bone and the nerves around it
• An MRI scan to show greater detail of nerves and nearby disks

A spinal compression fracture may be seen on a bone density exam (DEXA) if an additional test called a vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) is done at the same time.

Also, rarely, a bone biopsy may be done in a small percentage of people who have compression fractures to determine if the fracture is caused by cancer.

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A spinal compression fracture means that one or more of the bones that make up your spine (your vertebrae) has collapsed or shattered. It most often occurs in the low-to-mid portion of your spine, which doctors call the thoracic spine. Spinal compression fractures typically happen when your vertebrae become injured or weakened by conditions like osteoporosis or bone cancer.

Symptoms of spinal compression fractures

Depending on where the fracture occurs, you could develop a condition called kyphosis, where the shape of your spine becomes deformed, giving you a humped, hunched-over appearance. Other symptoms include:

• Sharp, debilitating back pain. The pain may be intense when the fracture occurs, and then gradually go away as it heals.
• Back pain that gets worse with standing or walking.
• Loss of height.
• Loss of mobility.
• Pain in other parts of your body, like your abdomen, if the fracture has affected your internal organs.

Diagnosis of spinal compression fractures

You might need a CT, MRI or X-ray scan to determine if you have a spinal compression fracture. If your doctor suspects that your fracture was caused by an underlying medical problem (like bone cancer), he or she may also order a biopsy or other tests.

Treatment options for spinal compression fractures

Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture. To start, your doctor may try nonsurgical options, including rest and prescription medication to help reduce your pain and improve your bone density.If your condition is more severe or persistent, you may need surgery, such as:

• Vertebroplasty: Your doctor injects a medical-grade substance called bone cement, which “glues” the spine in its proper position to reduce pain and bone deformity.
• Kyphoplasty: First a balloon is inserted into the affected area to decompress your spine and allow you to regain lost height. Then your doctor will inject bone cement to stabilize your vertebrae.
• Spinal fusion: Your doctor will permanently adhere your vertebrae together in a fixed position.

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Compression fracture of the spine: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Injuries of the spine can lead to disability, reduced quality of life and even disability of the patient. One of the most common spinal injuries is a compression fracture of the spine. This is the name of damage to the body of one or more vertebrae, accompanied by their compression and a decrease in height. In the injured areas, the nerve roots are infringed, blood circulation is disturbed, which in turn leads to a violation of the nervous regulation. The main symptom of a compression fracture is pain, aggravated by movement, and limited mobility in the damaged spine. The leading methods of rehabilitation are wearing a corset, physiotherapy exercises, a course of massage, physiotherapy.

What is a compression fracture of the spine

The vertebral column performs a supporting function for the human body, protects the spinal cord and participates in the movements of the trunk and head. It consists of five departments, together including 32 cylindrical vertebrae. The height of their anterior and posterior sections is the same. All vertebrae are interconnected by intervertebral discs, facet joints and ligamentous-muscular apparatus. This structure of the spine allows a person to keep his body in an upright position, while maintaining its mobility. The physiological curves of the spinal column increase its elasticity and help to soften the load created when walking, running, jumping.

A compression fracture occurs when there is simultaneous compression and flexion of the spine. A strong pressure is formed on the anterior sections of the vertebrae, which leads to their wedge-shaped deformation and a decrease in height. Damage exclusively to the anterior column of the vertebral bodies is a hallmark of compression fractures.

Neurological symptoms – paralysis and loss of sensation may be absent, since compression of the spine (compression due to traumatic force) does not always lead to damage to the spinal cord. However, if the spinal cord is compressed by displaced vertebrae or a disc, a neurological deficit will still occur.

Most often, doctors encounter fractures in the lumbar and lower thoracic spine. Compression injuries of the cervical spine occur less frequently.

Types of compression fractures

Depending on the location of the injury, there are:

• compression fracture of the cervical spine;
• Compression fracture of the thoracic spine
• compression fracture of the lumbar spine;
• compression fracture of the sacral and coccygeal sections.

If several departments are damaged at once, the injuries are considered multiple.

Depending on the degree of deformation of the vertebra, there are:

• fracture of the 1st degree – the height of the vertebra decreases by less than ½ of its size;
• II degree fracture – height is reduced by 50%;
• III degree fracture – height is reduced by more than 50%.

In case of injury of the 1st degree, the stability of the spine is not disturbed. Fractures II and III degree lead to a violation of the stability of the spinal column.

Depending on the presence of complications, there are uncomplicated and complicated types of fractures. Complicated ones are characterized by the development of neurological disorders.

Causes

Main causes of compression fractures:

• jumping from a height on straightened legs;
• falls from a height on the back, on the buttocks;
• traffic accidents;
• natural or industrial disasters.

In young and middle-aged patients, compression injuries may be the result of non-compliance with safety precautions during active sports, trampoline jumping.

Compression fractures in elderly patients are often associated with the development of osteoporosis. Bone tissue loses its density and becomes unable to withstand not only high, but also quite adequate loads.

Another likely cause of a compression fracture is the involvement of the spinal column by cancer metastases. Metastases destroy the vertebral bodies. Fractures can occur even with minimal loads, such as sharp bends.

Symptoms

The main clinical symptom of a compression fracture is pain in the injured area, such as the lumbar or thoracic region. The manifestations of the pain syndrome are quite diverse. Pain can be diffuse or localized, constant or intermittent. In the first days after injury, the following symptoms are possible:

• forced adoption of a certain body position;
• swelling, redness of the skin;
• weakness in lower limbs;
• desensitization.

Compression fractures of the cervical vertebrae may cause pain radiating to the back of the head.

The appearance of pathological reflexes (their presence can be determined by a neurologist during an internal examination), progressive muscle weakness, paralysis of the limbs, loss of sensation indicate damage to the spinal cord.

Complications

The risk of complications increases with grade 2 and 3 compression fractures. In the affected parts of the spine, increased mobility develops, which leads to increased pain both during movement and at rest. The long-term consequences of a compression fracture of the spine include the acceleration of degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, which increases the risk of osteochondrosis, protrusions, and hernias.

Improper fusion of the vertebrae may cause kyphotic curvature of the spine (curvature in the anterior-posterior plane), formation of a hump

Diagnosis the vertebra remains intact

It is necessary to perform an x-ray of the spine, take pictures in two projections – frontal and lateral. Lateral projections have the greatest diagnostic value. The radiograph will show a decrease in the height of the vertebrae and their wedge-shaped deformity.

If necessary, assess the condition of the ligaments and cartilage of the spine, as well as the appearance of neurological symptoms, an MRI of the spine is prescribed. As a rule, when performing a tomography, only the damaged part of the spine is examined. But if there are indications, the entire spine can be scanned as well.

Treatment

Successful treatment of a compression fracture requires restriction of the patient’s mobility. For several weeks, bed rest may be prescribed (you can not sit, get up on your feet). Doctors also prescribe long-term wearing of a corset. The corset provides the spine with additional support, prevents displacement of the vertebrae, and promotes favorable fusion of the injury. To relieve severe pain, painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, blockades are used.

Treatment of compression fractures of the spine in elderly patients has its own difficulties associated with the rapid development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in them. This leads to the progression of neurological symptoms. Elderly patients are shown strict adherence to bed rest. Bed rest helps protect the back from stress, but at the same time provokes the formation of bedsores, congestion in the lungs. For these reasons, the rehabilitation of elderly patients may take a longer time – more than six months.

There are several basic methods for the rehabilitation of patients.

Therapeutic physical training (LFK)

Therapeutic gymnastics includes general developmental exercises for the muscles of the limbs and torso, breathing exercises.

The main goals of exercise therapy:

• increase in the general tone of the body,
• improvement of regenerative processes,
• formation and strengthening of the muscular corset,
• improving the functioning of internal organs,
• gradual adaptation of the spine to vertical loading.

Exercises also train the vestibular apparatus, improve spinal mobility.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy procedures accelerate tissue regeneration, improve blood circulation, help relieve pain. Doctors use the following methods:

• electromyostimulation – exposure to electric current pulses;
• magnetotherapy – exposure to a constant or variable low-frequency magnetic field;
• shock wave therapy (SWT) – use of low power acoustic shock waves;
• UV – use of ultraviolet radiation;
• electrophoresis – exposure to direct electric current in combination with the introduction of various medicinal substances through the skin.

The volume of the course of physiotherapy is determined by the severity of the injury.

Massage

Massage complements and reinforces the results of exercise therapy and physiotherapy. For the rehabilitation of patients, different types of massage are used: manual, segmental, acupressure, hardware.

Treatment can be supplemented with acupuncture, HILT-therapy (high-intensity laser exposure).

The average duration of treatment is up to six months. After 6 months, most patients recover their ability to work.

Prevention

Prevention of compression fractures involves reducing injuries at work and at home. When playing sports, outdoor activities, you must follow the general safety rules. In old age, it is advisable to pay more attention to the health of the musculoskeletal system. With confirmed osteoporosis, it is necessary to conduct complex treatment with a diet, taking hormonal drugs, calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Which doctor treats a compression fracture of the spine

For the treatment of compression fractures of the spine, you should contact an orthopedic traumatologist. Also, a neurologist, physiotherapist, exercise therapy doctor can take part in the rehabilitation of the patient.

Where can a compression fracture of the spine be treated? Qualified traumatologists-orthopedists and neurologists work here. The center has modern diagnostic equipment: x-ray machines, tomographs. With their help, you can determine the severity of the injury. The center’s specialists have developed rehabilitation programs designed for patients with spinal injuries and movement disorders. They include many techniques:

• exercise therapy;
• manual therapy;
• reflexology;
• physiotherapy;
• massage.

The benefits of contacting the Kuntsevo Center are the opportunity to undergo a complete diagnostic examination of the spine, get advice from several specialized doctors. Physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises are carried out under the supervision of specialists. Appointments can be made by phone.

References

• Traumatology and orthopedics. Textbook, ed. V.M. Shapovalova, A.I. Gritsanova, A.N. Erokhov. – St. Petersburg: Folio. 2004.
• Tsivyan Ya. L. Injuries of the spine. – M.: medicine, 2012.
• Barinov AN, Kondakov EN Clinical and statistical characteristics of acute spinal cord injury. // Surgery of the spine. – 2013
• Vishnevsky A.A. Diseases and injuries of the spine. The best methods of treatment and prevention: – St. Petersburg, Vector, 2009

Compression fracture – symptoms and treatment of a compression fracture in St. Petersburg

Compression fracture is a bone injury resulting from simultaneous compression and compression. This type of injury often occurs in the thoracic or lumbar spine, less often in the pelvic bones, sometimes in the heel bones. At a young age, it usually develops when exposed to a traumatic agent of high strength. In the elderly, bone integrity is impaired as a result of osteoporosis. The symptoms of a compression fracture of the spine depend on the cause of the injury. The prognosis is favorable, except in cases with severe spinal cord injury. You can undergo restorative treatment (rehabilitation) after a compression fracture at Dr. Razumovsky’s Spine Clinic in St. Petersburg.

Contents

• 1 What you need to know about the diagnosis of back pain
• 2 Types of compression fractures
• 3 Symptoms and treatment of a compression fracture in St. Petersburg

What you need to know about the diagnosis of back pain e

More often pathology localized in the thoracic region below TH4 (4th vertebra) and the lumbar region, usually at the junction of TH12 and L1 (1st lumbar vertebra). The cervical region is affected much less frequently. Causes can be traumatic or pathological. In the first case, the violation of the integrity of the bone occurs due to a strong blow: a car accident, a gunshot wound, a fall from a height.

Such fractures are uncomplicated and complicated. If only the integrity of the bone structures is violated, then they speak of uncomplicated damage. In complicated cases, damage to the spinal cord and spinal roots occurs, which leads to the development of paralysis (impaired motor function of the limbs).

Pathological compression fractures are more common in people over 50 years of age, especially in menopausal women. Old age is accompanied by a decrease in the density of bone structures due to the natural aging of the body. In menopausal women, the production of sex hormones – estrogens – decreases, which leads to bone thinning. This disease is called osteoporosis.

In a compression fracture, the vertebrae acquire a characteristic wedge-shaped shape, which is clearly visible on x-ray. The height of the spine is reduced. In osteoporosis, in addition to changes in the shape of the vertebrae, a decrease in X-ray density and a violation of the structure of the cancellous bone tissue are observed.

Types of compression fractures

Classification helps to determine the tactics of treatment and the prognosis of the disease for recovery or life.

There are fractures due to:

• traumatic;
• pathological.

According to the degree of damage, injuries are distinguished:

• light – loss of bone volume up to 10%;
• medium – bone tissue is reduced up to 50%;
• heavy – more than 50%.

According to the mechanism of damage:

• wedge-shaped injury – characteristic of the spinal column, the vertebrae take the form of a wedge;
• fragmentation – the formation of several bone fragments under the influence of a blow;
• avulsion – separation and displacement of a part of the bone with uneven edges.

A compression fracture of the spine is often associated with damage to the heel bones when falling from a height onto straightened legs.

Symptoms and treatment of a compression fracture in St. Petersburg

Clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the cause of the violation of the integrity of the bones and the localization of the pathological process. With an injury, vivid symptoms appear immediately after the impact. This is intense pain at the site of injury, hematomas and swelling of soft tissues are formed here, the impossibility of movement. In case of damage to the structures of the spinal cord, paresis or paralysis develops, depending on the level of damage. The pathological form is accompanied by poor clinical symptoms and can be detected during the diagnosis of other diseases. More often develops kyphosis (hump), pain aching and unstable.

Symptoms of cervical injury:

• headache, dizziness;
• neck pain;
• blurred vision, tinnitus;
• difficulty breathing and swallowing;
• movement disorders in the upper and lower extremities.

Clinical manifestations of lesions of the thoracic region:

• respiratory failure;
• pain in the thoracic spine;
• heart trouble;
• curvature of the spinal column (kyphosis).

Symptoms of lumbar injury:

• movement disorders in the lower extremities;
• pain in the lumbar spine;
• deterioration in the function of the pelvic organs;
• fecal and urinary incontinence.

Signs of violation of the integrity of the pelvis:

• acute pain syndrome;
• swelling and bruising in the lumbar region and perineum;
• violation of the act of defecation and urination;
• impossibility of movement in the lower part of the body.

Heel injury clinic:

• foot edema and hematoma;
• intense pain due to displacement of fragments;
• violation of the support and motor function of the leg.

Bone damage is diagnosed using x-rays and CT (computed tomography). If a spinal cord injury is suspected, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and myelography are indicated.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of bone damage. In the event of an injury to the victim after transport immobilization of the spine, pelvis or leg, he is taken to the hospital. In the hospital, anesthesia is performed with the help of non-narcotic or narcotic analgesics, depending on the intensity of the pain syndrome.