Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
A spinal compression fracture occurs when one or more of the vertebrae that make up your spinal column becomes overloaded with stress. In this moment, the vertebrae can compress, collapse and fracture, which will cause pain and a host of other symptoms in the spine. Fortunately, for most people dealing with a relatively standard compression fracture, they will be able to recover from the fracture without the need for surgery.
Now, when we mention that compression fractures can typically heal on their own without surgery, know that this doesn’t mean that you can just ignore the problem and eventually it will completely heal. Compression fractures still require proactive treatment, even if that care doesn’t involve an operation. Left untreated, and a host of complex problems can develop. In today’s blog, we spotlight some of the issues that can develop following an untreated spinal compression fracture, and we discuss how to manage these fractures.
Compression Fracture Onset And Diagnosis
As we noted above, compression fractures occur when a vertebral segment is overloaded with stress. This can come following an intense moment of stress, like what may be exerted on your spine during a car accident or when you slip and fall, or as a result of repetitive actions that regularly stress your spine. As we get older, it typically takes less acute stress for a vertebral segment to suffer a compression fracture. Natural degeneration, decades of wear and tear and underlying health conditions like osteoporosis can weaken our vertebrae and increase our risk of a compression fracture.
It’s not always obvious that a compression fracture has occurred, especially if it developed in an older adult without an intense moment of trauma. Symptoms may be quite mild, which is why compression fractures are typically diagnosed with the help of a physician who can conduct a physical examination and take a closer look at the spine with the help of X-ray imaging. An X-ray or similar imaging technique will be able to pinpoint the precise location and size of the vertebral compression fracture, and it will give the provider a better idea of how to effectively treat the issue.
As we noted above, compression fractures tend to heal well with conservative care, but you need to be proactive in your approach. If you keep doing the same activities that led to its onset, or you simply try to push through the pain, a few different problems can develop. Issues that may occur as a result of a poorly-treated compression fracture include:
- Worsening symptoms
- Loss of height
- Decreased spinal flexibility
- Spinal deformity
- Breathing discomfort
- Weakness or tingling in the arms or legs
- Difficulty walking or standing
A pretty mild fracture can turn into a major problem if you don’t help the healing process along, which is why you want to talk with a spine specialist about the best way to treat your specific compression fracture. Although their advice is best, some common treatment options include:
- Rest/Protection – Your doctor isn’t going to want you to sit in bed all day, but you will be advised to take it easy. You want to go into protection mode so that you don’t make the fracture worse or inhibit the healing process. Expect to take it easy for a couple of weeks and avoid any intense physical activity that stresses the spine.
- Bracing – Sometimes a brace is recommended for added support and protection, but overreliance on a brace can lead to spinal muscle atrophy, so only use as directed and don’t expect it to be a long-term assistive device.
- Anti-Inflammatories – Anti-inflammatory and over-the-counter pain medications can help to keep some symptoms at bay. They will not address the fracture itself, but they can make recovery more comfortable, and they pair will with the next technique.
- Physical Therapy – Physical therapy is key to strengthening structures in the spine that support the spinal column. When these structures are stronger, they can take stress off the vertebral segments, which can reduce your risk of a subsequent fracture in the future. PT will also help to prevent some of the issues we mentioned above, like breathing difficulties and decreased spinal flexibility.
Spine Surgery in Minnesota
Spine surgery is typically considered the last resort, but it may be the first line of defense for severe fractures that are unlikely to heal without intervention. Most patients will find that conservative techniques lead to successful healing, and we’d be more than happy to find the right type of treatment for your specific compression fracture should you ever suffer the injury. For more information, or for assistance managing a different back issue, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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