Effective non-surgical treatments, like chiropractic care and physical therapy, can help restore spine health and manage compression fractures.
Are you struggling with persistent back pain? It could be more than just strain—it might be a compression fracture, which affects roughly 1.5 million people yearly in the United States. Without proper care, it can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility.
Compression fractures can cause chronic back pain, reduced height, hunched posture, and limited mobility if left untreated. While severe cases may require medical intervention or surgery, many people with milder fractures benefit from non-surgical options like chiropractic care, physical therapy, and acupuncture.
What is a Compression Fracture?
A compression fracture happens when a vertebra in your spine collapses, causing it to lose height due to excessive pressure on the vertebrae. Compression fractures most commonly affect the middle or lower regions of the spine and can vary in severity.
In many cases, the front of the vertebra is more affected than the back, which can cause it to take on a wedge shape. Compression fractures can develop over time or happen suddenly due to a hard impact, and they can affect your mobility and the alignment of your spine.
Where are Compression Fractures Located?
Compression fractures typically occur in the spine, most commonly in the thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower) regions.
Thoracic Spine
These fractures frequently affect the thoracic spine, which is the middle section of the back. This area, consisting of 12 vertebrae (T1-T12), is particularly vulnerable due to the amount of stress placed on these vertebrae.
Lumbar Spine
The upper portion of the lumbar spine, or lower back, is another common site for compression fractures. The lumbar spine includes five vertebrae (L1-L5), and fractures often occur when the thoracic and lumbar regions meet.
Specific Vertebrae
While compression fractures can happen in any vertebra, they are most often found in:
- The lower part of the thoracic spine (T8-T12)
- The upper section of the lumbar spine, specifically between the L1 and L2 vertebrae.
- The area where the thoracic and lumbar regions connect (the thoracolumbar junction)
Compression fractures are less common in the cervical spine (C1-C7) and the neck area.
Symptoms of Compression Fractures
The symptoms of compression fractures can vary in severity and may develop suddenly or gradually.
Common symptoms include:
- Sudden, severe back pain
- Height loss and a hunched posture (kyphosis, also called dowager’s hump)
- Difficulty bending or twisting
- Pain that worsens when standing or walking
- Tenderness at the fracture site
- Tingling or numbness from pinched nerves
- Muscle weakness or spasms
Types of Compression Fractures
Compression fractures are categorized into three types, depending on which part of the vertebra is impacted.
- Wedge Fractures: Wedge fractures are the most frequently occurring type of compression fracture, characterized by the front of the vertebra collapsing while the back stays intact.
- Crush Fractures: Crush fractures occur when the entire vertebra compresses or flattens.
- Burst Fractures: Burst fractures are more serious when the vertebra breaks apart and collapses, sometimes dispersing bone fragments in multiple directions.
Stable vs. Unstable Fractures
Compression fractures fall into two main categories based on how the bone responds to the injury.
- Stable: The broken bone remains in place and does not shift.
- Unstable: The fracture causes bone fragments to move out of position. This can affect nearby nerves and tissue, especially if multiple fractures or ligament damage are present.
Causes of Compression Fractures
Compression fractures often result from weakened bones, with osteoporosis being the most common cause. This condition reduces bone density, making vertebrae more fragile, especially with age. However, other factors can also lead to fractures:
- Trauma: High-impact events like falls, car accidents, or sports injuries can break a vertebra.
- Spinal Conditions: Infections, tumors, or other spinal diseases can weaken bones, increasing the risk of fractures.
Risk Factors for Vertebral Fractures
Certain risk factors make some individuals more susceptible to compression fractures:
- Age: Bone strength decreases over time, making fractures more common in older adults.
- Osteoporosis: This condition weakens bones, increasing fracture risk, especially in postmenopausal women but also in men and younger individuals.
- Previous Fractures: A history of vertebral fractures raises the likelihood of future fractures.
- Cancer: Some cancers, particularly those affecting bones, can contribute to fractures.
- Lifestyle Factors: Poor nutrition, low calcium or vitamin D intake, lack of physical activity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use all weaken bones.
- Medications: Long-term steroid use and certain other medications can reduce bone strength.
How are Compression Fractures Treated?
Compression fractures are typically treated through a combination of traditional medical approaches and conservative management strategies.
Traditional Medical and Surgical Treatments
Traditional treatments for compression fractures often start with pain medications like NSAIDs and opioids to manage discomfort. Bone-strengthening drugs such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin, or teriparatide may also be prescribed to help stabilize or rebuild bone density.
Percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures including vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty can help in more advanced cases. Vertebroplasty involves injecting sterile cement into the broken vertebra, while kyphoplasty uses a balloon to restore height before cement is injected. In severe cases with major deformities or neurological issues, open surgery may be necessary.
At-Home Treatments
- Rest: Short periods of bed rest (2-3 days) can help initial healing, but prolonged inactivity should be avoided.
- Pain management: Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or NSAIDs can help alleviate pain.
- Temperature therapy: Apply ice for the first week to reduce inflammation, then alternate between heat and cold as needed.
- Activity modification: Gradually return to normal activities while avoiding heavy exercise, bending, twisting, and lifting.
- Posture awareness: Practice good posture to reduce stress on the spine.
- Tai chi or yoga: To improve balance flexibility and prevent falls that can lead to fractures.
Treatment at Prestige Health Wellness
At Prestige Health & Wellness in New York, we take a comprehensive, non-invasive approach to treating compression fractures. Our goal is to relieve your pain and help your body heal without surgery.
- Chiropractic Adjustments: Our expert chiropractors provide gentle, targeted adjustments to relieve pressure, realign the spine, and reduce pain. With advanced techniques, we support your spine during recovery, helping it heal naturally.
- Physical Therapy (PT): Guided exercises to improve mobility, flexibility, and posture, as well as strengthen back muscles.
- Spinal Bracing: Custom-fitted spinal braces support your spine, reduce movement, and promote healing by stabilizing the vertebrae.
- Pain Management: We offer various non-invasive pain management techniques to reduce discomfort and improve your quality of life during recovery. These may include acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, and occupational therapy (OT).
Lifestyle Tips for Prevention
You can reduce your risk of compression fractures by making some simple lifestyle changes:
- Maintain a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
- Engage in weight-bearing exercises to maintain bone density
- Consider bone density screenings if you’re at risk
Find Relief from Compression Fractures Today
Don’t let compression fractures affect your quality of life. Whether you’re experiencing pain from a recent fracture or dealing with chronic discomfort, our team is here to help. At Prestige Health & Wellness, we specialize in chiropractic care, physical therapy, and non-invasive treatments to reduce pain, restore mobility, and promote healing.
Visit us at one of our convenient locations: Financial District, Hudson Yards, Chelsea, or Nomad. Call us today at (917) 694-1565 or book your appointment online to begin your journey toward lasting relief and recovery!
This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider before beginning treatment.
Sources
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Image Sources
- Blausen.com staff. (2014). Medical Gallery of Blausen Medical 2014. WikiJournal of Medicine, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.15347/wjm/2014.010. Modified by Häggström, M. (MD). (n.d.). Compression fracture of vertebrae [Image]. CC BY 3.0. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
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Vandyke, H. (n.d.). Kyphosis [Image]. Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.