Whether they happen due to injury or trauma, or as part of the natural aging process, spinal fractures can be treated.
What is a Spinal Fracture?
Spinal fractures occur when the bones in your spine, called vertebrae, break and collapse. They can happen due to trauma or injury, such as experiencing a bad fall or car accident. Or, spinal fractures may be caused by simple movements like coughing or sneezing if your vertebrae have become weak and brittle from osteoporosis or cancer. Every year more than a million people suffer from this kind of spinal fracture; vertebral compression fractures are the most common type.
What Are the Symptoms of a Spinal Fracture?
Symptoms of a VCF or spinal fracture can include sudden onset back pain lasting longer than a few days, especially in people who have or at risk of having osteoporosis or low bone mass. Tell your doctor of you have these symptoms so he or she can ask you questions, examine your back, and recommend an x-ray or other imaging tests if needed. Back pain can be caused by numerous things. A spinal fracture is a specific condition with specific treatment options.
Are Spinal Fractures That Common?
Spinal fractures are twice as common as hip fractures and three times more common than breast cancer. Spinal fractures are most common in postmenopausal women over 55.3 In fact, one in two women over age 50 will suffer an osteoporosis-related spinal fracture.
Consequences of Untreated Spinal Fractures
If a spinal fracture is left untreated, the vertebra may heal in the “broken” or “caved in” position. This can lead to increased forward curvature, or kyphosis, the medical term for the visible postural change that people refer to as a “dowager’s hump” or “hunchback.”
Just one spinal fracture that remains deformed shortens the spine and pushes it forward, adversely affecting spinal alignment. Each additional spinal fracture increases the spinal deformity and the spinal curvature can become more pronounced. When you change your posture to compensate for kyphotic deformity, it can affect how you walk and can strain your back and joints. A misaligned spine can also compress your internal organs and lead to health problems seemingly unrelated to your spine, such as:
-Reduced mobility, loss of balance, and increased risk of falls
-Reduced ability to take care of yourself
-Reduced days of activity and more days in bed
-Decreased appetite and sleep disorders
-Chronic back pain and fatigue
-Decreased quality of life
-Feelings of isolation and sadness
-Increased risk for future fracture
-A downward spiral of complications
There are two main surgical treatments designed to repair vertebral compression fractures:
Balloon kyphoplasty – A minimally invasive procedure that uses a balloon to lift the vertebrae and create a cavity for bone cement to stabilize the fracture
Vertebroplasty – A minimally invasive procedure in which liquid bone cement is injected into the affected vertebrae to stabilize the fracture and relieve pain