Vertebral Compression Fracture

What is a compression fracture?

Compression fractures differ from typical fractures. The bone doesn't break when you have a compression fracture; instead, the bone collapses. Though this can happen following a high-energy trauma, most compression fractures occur due to osteoporosis and affect your vertebrae. 

Osteoporosis develops when your bones gradually and progressively lose bone, weaken, and turn brittle. The vertebrae become so weak that they collapse under the weight and movement usually supported by your spine.

What symptoms develop due to a compression fracture?

Vertebral compression fractures most often occur in your low back, call the lumbar spine, or even in the upper back, called the thoracic spine. They rarely occur in your neck (cervical spine).

When a vertebra collapses, you may experience:

• Sudden, severe back pain
• Limited spinal movement
• Pain that gets worse when walking, bending or twisting
• Pain that feels better when lying down

If the fracture pinches a nerve, the pain can radiate to your chest, abdomen, arms, or legs. Your pain may get worse with activity and feel better when you rest.

With a compression fracture, the front side of the vertebra collapses, and the back usually maintains its normal height. As a result, the bone takes on a wedge-like shape or appearance.  This can affect your posture. 

When adjoining vertebrae collapse and you have several wedge-shaped bones, they can create a curve in your thoracic spine. As a result, you develop a round-back deformity in the upper back.

How is a compression fracture treated?

The physicians at Innovative Pain Specialists offer the latest and most innovative treatments for vertebral compression fractures, including:

Vertebroplasty

During a vertebroplasty procedure, your provider injects a local anesthetic and uses real-time imaging to see your spine and guide a hollow needle into the damaged vertebra. Once the needle is in place, they inject bone cement. The cement hardens, stabilizing your spine and eliminating your pain.

Balloon kyphoplasty

Your provider performs balloon kyphoplasty just like vertebroplasty but with one difference: They inflate a balloon inside the vertebra after inserting the needle. The balloon restores the natural height and shape, then your provider removes the balloon and injects bone cement. 

SpineJack® system

The SpineJack is a device implanted into the center of a compressed vertebra. Your provider uses a narrow, hollow needle to insert the device; then, it expands, restoring the vertebra's height much like a car jack lifts your car.

After the SpineJack lifts the collapsed vertebra, your provider injects bone cement into the space. The SpineJack stays in the vertebra to further support the bone’s strength and structure.

If you have severe or persistent upper back pain, call Innovative Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.