A medical practice specialized in Systems-Based Regenerative Musculoskeletal Medicine to treat your spine, joint, or nerve pain or injury and to restore your vitality & well-being.
Spinal Compression Fractures
There are about 15,000 major thoracolumbar fractures per year resulting in 5,000 which result in significant neurological complications. Most occur between the T11 and L1 vertebral body levels. A burst fracture is most common. Falls are the most common cause of spinal compression fractures in the elderly population, but they can also be caused by seat belt injuries following a motor vehicle accident, falls and other high-energy trauma.
As with any broken bone, a fracture of the vertebral body can result in excruciating pain. There are some individuals who feel little pain and find out about a fracture long after it has healed.
Symptoms
• Severe back pain
• Severe pain with deep breaths
• Severe pain with moving
• Severe weakness
• Numbness and tingling
• Bowel or bladder problems
Other diseases that can mimic a spinal compression fracture include:
• Infections
• Neoplasm
Treatments
Treatment will depend on the source of pain which may range from physical therapy and bracing to targeted injections or other interventions. For less severe pain a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and physical therapy may be helpful. For more severe pain, a brace and oral pain medications may be helpful.
References
Wood K, Mehbod A, Garvey T, Jhanjee R, Sechriest V , Butterman G. Operative compared with nonoperative treatment of a thoracolumbar burst fracture without neurological deficit.
A prospective, randomized study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2003 May;85-A(5):773-81.