Vertebral Compression Fractures | Pain and Spine Specialists

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are a type of spinal injury that occurs when one or more bones in the spine collapse. These fractures can cause severe pain, decreased physical function, and even reduced height. Typically, vertebral compression fractures are caused by conditions like osteoporosis or trauma, such as a fall or car accident.
Vertebral compression fractures are quite common, especially among older adults. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated 700,000 cases of VCFs occur annually in the United States alone. While anyone can suffer a vertebral compression fracture, specific demographics are at a higher risk. The prevalence increases with age, with about 40% of women aged 80 and above likely to experience a VCF.
Older adults, particularly post-menopausal women, are significantly more likely to experience a VCF due to the increased risk of osteoporosis in this demographic. However, individuals with certain types of cancer, long-term steroid use, or a history of significant trauma could also be at risk.
Vertebral compression fractures primarily affect the vertebral bodies in the spine. Most commonly, they occur in the thoracic spine, the middle portion of the spine, or the upper lumbar spine, the lower part of the spine. A VCF can lead to severe back pain, a hunched forward posture, and a decrease in overall height.
Some compression fracture symptoms and signs are:
-Sudden Onset of Back Pain: Often the first symptom of a vertebral compression fracture. the sudden pain is typically centered around the lower back but can also occur in the middle or upper back.
-Pain that Worsens When Standing or Walking: Many people with VCFs find that their pain improves when they lie down and worsens when standing or walking.
-Limited Spinal Mobility: Because vertebral compression fractures affect the spine, they can cause a decrease in flexibility or range of motion.
-Height Loss: Over time, multiple VCFs can lead to a noticeable loss in height.
-Deformity of the Spine: In severe cases, vertebral compression fractures can cause the spine to become curved or misshapen. This is often described as a "dowager's hump" or "hunchback."
-Neurological Symptoms: If the fracture causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, it can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or bowel and bladder dysfunction. These symptoms of a compression fracture require immediate medical attention.
It should be noted that some vertebral compression fractures might not produce any noticeable symptoms, especially if they are small or occur gradually over time. In such cases, they may only be discovered during an X-ray or other imaging study for another reason.
Some methods for avoiding VCFs include:
-Add Calcium to Your Diet
-Get Your Vitamin D
-Exercise for Compression Fracture
-Don't Smoke Cigarettes
At Pain and Spine Specialists, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments for vertebral compression fractures. We aim to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life.
Treatment includes injection therapies. Injection therapies are minimally invasive procedures that can help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals.
For VCFs, the most commonly used injection therapies include:
-Epidural Steroid Injections
Facet Joint Injections
Medial Branch Blocks
For patients with more severe or persistent VCFs, we offer several advanced interventional procedures, including:
-The Minuteman Procedure
-Vertiflex
-Radiofrequency Ablation
Along with our advanced procedures, we also offer conventional treatments such as medication management. Medication management programs can help manage pain and inflammation and includes over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, or osteoporosis medications. Also, compression physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the spine, improve mobility, and help manage pain.
Resources:
Learn more about vertebral compression fractures: painandspinespecialists.com/c...
Schedule an appointment online:
painandspinespecialists.com/s...