![]() ![]() This procedure works by injecting a cement material directly into the broken bone without a balloon first inserted to create a space. There is another procedure, called Vertebroplasty, which is not recommended by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. However, if the pain is significant and does not improve after 6 weeks, there is a procedure called Kyphoplasty which can be used to treat the pain and has been shown to be effective at improving pain. Surgery is not necessary because even with significant crunching of the bone, this fracture is stable and there is little risk the injury will get worse. Also calcium and vitamin D can help prevent worsening osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, a medication that slows down the turnover of our bone (prevents it from becoming thinner) has been studied as a way to prevent future spinal compression fractures and appears to have some positive effects. Treatment for the underlying osteoporosis is recommended to minimize the chance of another fracture occurring in the future. A back brace also can often be helpful in alleviating pain by taking some of the pressure off the affected spine segment. How is a Spine Compression Fracture treated? These fractures are usually treated successfully with pain control medication, rest, and gradual return to normal activity. A MRI is normally not required, unless someone has developed neurologic symptoms in addition to the pain, which would suggest a pinched nerve. It is important to get x-rays of the entire spine, not just the area of localizing pain, because about 20% of the time there is another compression fracture in the spine. The x-rays show a vertebral bone that has become squished, lost at least 20% of its height, by comparing it to the neighboring vertebrae. ![]() The injury, like most other broken bones, is diagnosed with basic x-ray once the doctor is suspicious for this injury based on the patients story. This will cause pain that radiates down the arm or leg. ![]() However, sometimes the squished bone can entrap one of the nerves branching off the spinal cord. Its uncommon for this type of fracture to injure the spinal cord, and typically pain is the only complaint (no numbness or weakness). Contact our medical center in Beverly Hills to schedule an appointment.A compression fracture, like any other broken bone, is painful. Our neuro-spine surgeon surgeons offer advanced spine treatments and surgery to relieve pain and dysfunction caused by compression fractures. If you have compression or other types of vertebrae fractures, treatment is available at DOCS Health. For more severe fractures such as burst, flexion-distraction and fracture-dislocations, surgery may be required to repair the bone to relieve pain and prevent spinal cord injury. Compression fractures may respond to conservative and minimally invasive treatments without surgery. The treatment for vertebrae fractures depends on the severity and types. In trauma injuries, flexion-distraction, fracture-dislocation and burst fractures can occur in the lumbar spine, affecting the other columns in the vertebrae. The top vertebra in the lumbar spine is the most susceptible to compression fractures where only the front of the vertebrae collapses, which can occur over time or due to trauma. Thoracic fracture-dislocations are usually caused by trauma and often result in spinal cord injury. Other types of thoracic fractures include burst fractures where both the front and back of the vertebra collapse or a flexion-distraction, where the back and middle columns of the vertebrae collapse. This can cause pain and compressed nerves in the mid back. They can occur slowly over time from weakened bone, or suddenly from trauma. Thoracic Vertebrae FracturesĬompression fractures are more common in the thoracic spine, especially in the lower vertebrae. In some cases, the vertebrae and the attached ligaments can be damaged, resulting in a fracture-dislocation. Flexion-distraction fractures in the cervical spine are very rare but can occur and jeopardize the spinal cord. Compression fractures occur when the front portion of the vertebrae collapses, while burst fractures affect the entire structure, flattening the vertebrae in all directions. The seven vertebrae in the cervical spine can experience a variety of fractures due to injury, degenerative conditions and other factors. At DOCS Health, we offer treatment for spine compression fractures at our medical center in Los Angeles. Spine compression fractures can occur in the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine and may cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of fracture. The vertebrae in the spine are small bones that can be fractured, causing the vertebrae to collapse. ![]()
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