Compression Fractures
Understanding vertebral compression fractures and treatment options
What is a Compression Fracture?
Compression fracture means a vertebra has collapsed, usually from osteoporosis (bone loss). The vertebral body compresses and loses height, often causing sudden pain or chronic aching.
Who Gets Them
High Risk Groups
- • Postmenopausal women (highest risk)
- • Osteoporosis
- • Older age (65+)
- • Long-term corticosteroid use
Other Causes
- • Cancer (metastatic disease)
- • Radiation therapy history
- • Trauma (fall or accident)
Symptoms
- •Sudden onset sharp back pain (traumatic)
- •Or gradual aching (osteoporotic)
- •Pain worse with standing/activity
- •Better with lying down
- •Possible height loss over time
- •Kyphosis (stooped posture)
- •Nerve symptoms if severe
Diagnosis
- •X-rays show vertebral collapse
- •MRI shows acute vs. chronic fractures
- •DEXA scan assesses bone density
- •Assessment for osteoporosis
Conservative Treatment
Success Rate: 70-80% heal with conservative care over 8-12 weeks
- • Rest (initially)
- • Pain management
- • Bracing (if needed)
- • Physical therapy
- • Osteoporosis treatment (calcium, vitamin D, bisphosphonates)
When Surgery is Appropriate
- •Severe pain not improving with conservative care
- •Progressive neurological deficit
- •Severe collapse with instability
- •Acute fracture in younger patient with trauma
MIS Surgical Options
Vertebroplasty
Injection of cement into collapsed vertebra
Stabilizes, reduces pain
Minimally invasive, same-day
Success Rate: 80-90% pain relief
Recovery: Days
Kyphoplasty
Balloon inflation restores height, then cement
Better than vertebroplasty for height restoration
Minimally invasive, same-day
Success Rate: 80-90%
Recovery: Days
MIS Fusion (if severe instability)
Rare, reserved for unstable fractures
Surgical stabilization + decompression
Recovery: 4-8 weeks
Questions About Compression Fractures?
Our team specializes in minimally invasive treatments for compression fractures. Contact us to discuss your specific condition and treatment options.
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