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
Expected Outcomes: 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
Expected Outcomes: Leg pain and walking improvement depend on the specific stenosis pattern
Recovery: Days
Kyphoplasty
Balloon inflation restores height, then cement
Better than vertebroplasty for height restoration
Minimally invasive, same-day
Expected Outcomes: 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.
Greenberg Spine
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery