Compression fracture spine3/15/2023 While osteoporosis is often considered a woman’s condition, and impacts women four times more than men, nearly two million American men also have osteoporosis (with millions more at risk of the disease), with an equivalent risk of bone fractures as that of women. have had a vertebral (spinal) compression fracture. It is estimated that about 25 percent of post-menopausal women in the U.S. Osteoporosis, the main cause of a spinal compression fracture, is particularly common in women after menopause. What’s more, those who have had a compression fracture are likely to have more. Consequently, a majority of these fractures go untreated. Problematically, these fractures can be missed or misdiagnosed, confused for general back pain or symptoms considered a normal part of aging. Although these fractures rarely occur in the upper back, technically they can occur anywhere in the spine. The majority of spinal compression fractures tend to be located in the upper thoracic spine (upper back), or they can be in the lumbar spine (lower back). Metastatic tumors, common in the spine with the spread of cancer, are often considered as the cause of spinal compression fractures in those under age 55 with no trauma history to the area. In addition, spinal compression fractures can also happen to others due to falls or trauma. With weakened bone mass, a fall, lifting a heavy object or even coughing can possibly result in a spinal fracture. This type of spinal fracture is typically caused by osteoporosis (loss of bone mass), a result of aging. Technically, the condition is defined as a vertebral spinal bone that has decreased by 15 to 20 percent in height due to a fracture. Potential risks of this procedure should be discussed with your doctor.A person sustains a spinal compression fracture when the vertebrae in the spine are squashed and collapse. This procedure can help with pain from a vertebral fracture that persists more than 6 weeks, but it does have risks. Kyphoplasty: Making the vertebrae taller with a small balloon placed with a needle, then filling the empty space with a special cement. Tumor treatment: Removing bone (if needed) to treat a tumor Treating osteoporosis if bone weakening is suspectedįusion: Repairing the bone and joining vertebrae together after an injury Treatment for a compression fracture depends on the nature of the break and the likely cause. You may also receive one or more scans:īone Density Test (if osteoporosis is suspected)Ĭomputed Tomography Scan (CT or CAT scan) Your doctor will begin to diagnose a possible compression fracture with a physical exam and will check whether your upper spine is hunched forward. Stop smoking, to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and some types of cancer that can spread to the bones Take medications to prevent bone loss or spur bone growth, as prescribed by your doctor (fracture patients are at high risk for additional fractures) Get a bone density test if you fall into a higher-risk category for osteoporosis You can reduce your risk for a compression fracture by taking a few key steps, similar to the precautions for avoiding osteoporosis:Ĭonsume enough vitamin D and calcium - including such calcium-rich foods as milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, sardines and broccoli Numbness or tingling, weak muscles, problems walking and (possible) trouble controlling your bowels or bladder because of nerve damage Slowly worsening back pain - lying on your back may relieve the pain and standing may make it worse Instead, your doctor may notice it when giving you an X-ray for another reason.When a compression fracture starts harming vertebrae, you may feel: A fracture doesn’t always cause immediate symptoms, though. If a compression fracture develops quickly, you may feel sudden, severe back pain. What are the Symptoms of a Compression Fracture?
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