A vertebral compression fracture is a type of spinal fracture in which the vertebra collapses. Vertebral compression fractures occur due to various causes, the most common being injury or osteoporosis. In this article, we tell you more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments, and share some tips on prevention.
Vertebral compression fractures can occur in any section of the spine: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum or coccyx.
Each vertebra is made up of different parts (the vertebral body and pedicles in the anterior part; and laminae, facet joints and spinous processes in the posterior part), and a breakage of any of these parts is considered a vertebral fracture. These fractures can occur for various reasons.
Causes of compression fractures
As we explained at the beginning, there are various possible causes of vertebral compression fractures. The most common causes are:
- Traumatic injury, such as from a car accident or work accident, is the leading cause of spinal compression fracture.
- Osteoporosis: this disease affects the bone metabolism, weakening it through a process of decalcification, which causes a loss of bone density, making it more susceptible to fractures.
- Other health conditions which can weaken bone, such as certain infections (osteomyelitis, tuberculosis ...), untreated hyperthyroidism, and cancer, including primary bone tumors or secondary tumors that reach the bone due to metastases.
- Chronic treatment with corticosteroids, chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Main symptoms
The most common symptom of a vertebral fracture is pain, which can be localized in the area where the fracture has occurred, or extend to other areas. When the pain spreads, most often it is because the fractured bone, or some fragment of it, has been displaced and is pressing on a nerve.
In some more serious cases, in addition to pain, the patient may suffer neurological deficits such as loss of mobility or loss of feeling in some area. This occurs if a fragment of the broken bone damages the spinal cord or nerves.
Treatment of compression fractures
The type of treatment recommended is based on the type of fracture, and other factors such as the cause, the location and whether there are neurological symptoms like those mentioned above. Depending on the individual case, the option may be conservative treatment, surgery, or a combination of both.
If the vertebral fracture is not too severe, the treatment is usually conservative, which can include pain management through pain medications, and use of an orthopedic corset or brace.
In the event that surgery is required, the type of surgery will also depend on the specific characteristics of the vertebral fracture. For some cases, it will be kyphoplasty. Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a small skin puncture which allows the surgeon to insert a balloon through a tube to inflate it and create space in which to inject an acrylic cement to strengthen the bone. Sometimes, it is also necessary to perform a posterior stabilization of the fracture by placing posterior screws, either percutaneously or with open surgery. The screws are usually removed after the facture has healed, about a year after the operation.
Find out more about vertebral fractures here
Tips on how to prevent vertebral fractures
Although not all vertebral fractures can be prevented, we can take steps to make them less likely. Here are some useful tips:
- Exercise regularly, to strengthen bones
- Choose to eat a healthy diet, rich in calcium (dairy and leafy green vegetables) and vitamin D (fatty fish, egg yolks, cheese, etc.) to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis. For calcium, the recommended daily amount is between 1000 and 1200 mg, and for vitamin D, it’s 600-800 IU
- Get enough sunlight, because this helps the production of vitamin D. Of course, you should avoid peak sun hours to prevent overexposure that can cause burns and skin damage
- Avoid tobacco, as it encourages the development of osteoporosis
- Prevent falls by making your surroundings safe. Easy ways to do this are to make sure rooms are well lit, avoid the use of rugs that slide, remove obstacles from the floor, watch out for wet or slippery floors
The team at Instituto Clavel hopes you find this information useful. Remember, if you need medical advice about a specific case or want to see us for a consultation, we are at your disposal!
Categories: Spine treatments, Spine pathologies, Pain Management