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Back pain is an indication of stress fractures known as vertebral compression fractures. Vertebral compression fractures occur when the normal vertebral body of the spine is squeezed or compressed. The bone collapses when too much pressure is placed on the vertebrae, resulting in pain, limited mobility, loss of height and spinal deformity. In very severe compression fractures, the back of the vertebral body is pushed into the spinal canal and pressure is placed on the spinal cord.
Vertebral compression fractures can occur because of trauma from a fall, forceful jump, car accident or tumour that spreads to the spine from elsewhere. Vertebral compression fractures are usually caused by osteoporosis, a condition that causes thinning of the bone. The thinning bones can cause tiny fractures during normal activities. In severe cases of osteoporosis, a simple movement like bending forward can cause spinal compression fracture, resulting in kyphosis, a hump-like curvature of the spine.
The most common symptom of a vertebral compression fracture is severe pain in your back, which worsens on standing or walking and decreases when resting. You may also feel weakness and numbness in the affected areas, disability, and limited spinal mobility. You may also often notice a loss of overall height. If you sustain multiple compression fractures, you may have a hunched back (kyphosis or “dowager’s hump”), gastrointestinal problems, hip pain and shortness of breath.
Your doctor will carefully examine you based on the symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also recommend other diagnostic tests such as:
The treatment of vertebral compression fractures aims at reducing the pain and stabilizing and repairing the fracture. This is best achieved by medications, back braces, bed rest and physical therapy.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to relieve bone, muscle and nerve pain. Your doctor may prescribe a back brace that supports the back and restricts movement.
Surgery may be suggested if you continue to have severe pain despite non-surgical treatment. Two minimally invasive surgical procedures for treating vertebral compression fractures include:
Kyphoplasty: In this procedure, a large needle is introduced into the spine with a balloon called a bone tamp and inflated until it expands to the desired height. The space created is then filled with or injected with orthopaedic cement called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). This procedure restores the height of the vertebrae and reduces the deformity.
Vertebroplasty: This technique involves inserting polymethylmethacrylate into the bone of the collapsed vertebra with the needle and syringe under the guidance of X-ray. This technique is performed to stabilize the fracture and prevent further collapse.
The most effective way to prevent vertebral compression fractures is to prevent osteoporosis. A well-balanced diet, regular exercise program, calcium and vitamin D supplements, smoking cessation, estrogen hormone replacement for women and practising good posture may help you to prevent osteoporosis.
Neurospine is a specialist medical practice providing comprehensive treatment of all spine (back) conditions encompassing degenerative, infectious, traumatic, tumor and vascular conditions. Our neurosurgical services also include all brain conditions both adult and pediatric populations encompassing trauma, congenital malformations, hydrocephalus, vascular and brain tumors
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