The most common type of fracture that affects the spine is the compression fractures. Here it causes the vertebrae or bone to collapse in height. This happens when the vertebrae in the spine is compressed which in turn reduces its height. This is often seen in two groups of people. One is those who suffer injury or traumatic accident where in too much load is put into the vertebrae so that it may collapse. This is often observed after an accident or fall. The second group is consisting of people who are suffering from osteoporosis.
The most common reason of compression fractures is osteoporosis. In fact around 700,000 cases are recorded of compression fractures due to osteoporosis every year in the United States alone. Vertebrae that is affected with osteoporosis becomes weak thus unable to fight normal pressure and stress. The end result is small task like lifting or even twisting or coughing can cause bones to fracture.
Other cause as mentioned above is injury like an accidental fall affecting the buttocks or blow to the head can also cause spinal compression fracture. This condition may also occur if cancer spread into the spine. Cancer can make the bones weak making it prone to fractures.
What are the symptoms of compression fracture of the spine? Compression fracture may happen suddenly and when it happens it cause severe back pain which is commonly experience in the middle of the spine to lower region of the spine although it might still be felt in the front or in the side. The pain is usually disabling and can be described as “knifelike” and it stays for week’s even months before it goes away.
As for compression fractures that is cause by osteoporosis, initial stage may not show any symptoms at all and may be accidentally found when an x-ray of the spine is done for other reasons. Through time symptoms may start to show like back pain that gets worst when you walk but is not felt when resting, reduce in height to as much as six inches, and kyphosis. Other symptoms which rarely show are weakness, tingling, numbness, loss of bowel and bladder control and difficulty walking.
Most compression fractures affect the elderly patients due to osteoporosis. These fractures do not really injure the spinal cord. For this, it is the osteoporosis that is treated and they are usually given medications and supplements like calcium to avoid any fractures.
The pain resulting from a fracture is managed with bed rest and pain medications initially. Some physician requires the use of back brace but this might weaken the bones more and causes more fractures. Patients suffering compression fractures of the spine may benefit with specific physical therapy which can help in strengthening the muscle around the spine.
If pain is disabling and severe after eight weeks or more after taking pain medications, bed rest and physical therapy then surgery might be your next option. Discuss with your doctor the surgery options for you. There are actually two minimally invasive methods available.
Balloon Kyphoplasty. This procedure is done with the patient under general anesthesia. The procedure involves inserting a needle into the compressed bone. A balloon then is inserted into the vertebrae using the needle and inflated thus restoring the height of the vertebra. Cement is then injected in the space to ensure that it won’t collapse again. This procedure has been studied and is found out to be effective in treating compression fractures of the spine (Lancet 2009).
Vertebroplasty. This has the same procedure where in the cement is injected into the vertebra and this procedure is perform under local anesthesia and sedation. A study was made for both Balloon Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures to review its safety and efficacy (Spine 2006).
If the fracture is cause by a tumor then a piece of bone would have to be removed to be examined then after that the tumor is being treated. As for fractures that is cause by trauma or injury then brace might be required for six to ten weeks to prevent any further injury of the bone while it heals.
Prognosis of compression fractures of the spine depends on its cause. If it is cause by trauma or injury then it will most likely heal within eight to ten weeks rest, pain medications and bracing. However recovery time may be much longer if surgery is needed.
If it is due to osteoporosis then it usually less painful with pain medications, and supplements although sometimes it can lead to some disability and chronic pain. There are medicines that can aid in preventing further damage or further fractures but unfortunately the damage that has been done cannot be reversed.
If it is cause by tumors, progression really depends on the kind of tumor involved. Most of the common tumors that are involved with the spine are the prostate cancer, lymphoma, lung cancer and breast cancer.