Compression Fractures

The collapse of the spine bones results in compression fracture. The common area for these fractures is the spine’s middle section.

Causes of Compression Fractures

These are some of the most causes of common compression fracture.

  • Osteoporosis of the spine.
  • A serious injury causing trauma or stress to the spine.
  • The spread of metastatic cancer to bones surrounding the spine area.
  • Other problems causing damage to the spine or weakening it.

Common Spine Compression Fracture Symptoms

Here are the common symptoms associated with compression fracture symptoms.

  • The patient may feel severe pain in the back, arms, and legs.
  • Injury to the spinal cord related to numbness or feeling of weakness.
  • A pain which may also be symbolizing osteoporotic fractures.

Some Treatment Options

Surgical Treatment

The surgical treatment is only opted in severe cases. This is only done in case of loss of vertebral height. In such severe conditions, the patient is left with no other option than surgery. Surgery helps prevent bones from impinging spinal nerves.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

There are two minimally invasive procedures used to treat spine compression fractures; Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty. These are the two commonly used methods to treat compression fractures.

Vertebroplasty procedure involves insertion of special cement to the broken vertebral body. This minimally invasive procedure reduces pain and helps improve spine strength.

Kyphoplasty involves sliding of a tube with deflated balloon on its end within the broken bone. The balloon is inflated inside for increasing height of the broken vertebra. A special bone cement is injected for firmly holding the vertebra in the restored height.

Conservative Treatment

The conservative treatment is only used for treating moderate compression fractures. Conservative treatment options for compression fractures include pain reducing medicines, use of braces, and adding back support.