Vertebral Fracture

What is a Vertebral Fracture?

Fractures to the vertebrae, also known as spinal fractures, are serious injuries to the spinal cord which occur when one or more of the vertebrae is broken or dislocated by trauma and/or long-term conditions which cause weakening of the bones. Types of spinal fractures may vary, and include compression fractures caused by bone conditions like osteoporosis, as well as burst fractures and vertebral dislocations which occur from serious trauma such as an auto collision.

What Are The Causes of a Vertebral Fracture?

Fractures to the spine are caused by force being applied in a manner that puts too much downward pressure on the vertebrae or forces the spine into an unnatural position. This can be caused by bad falls, contact sports, car accidents, and other violent collisions. A frequent secondary cause of vertebral fractures is osteoporosis, a condition which causes the bones to lose density and become brittle as you age. In patients with advanced osteoporosis, compression fractures can result even from mild jarring to the vertebrae.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms of a Vertebral Fracture?

Vertebral fractures may vary in type and severity, and symptoms can manifest in a similar range of ways. Often there will be immediate back pain after a fall or other incident which places heavy strain on the spine. This pain is usually worsened by standing, walking, or bending over. Your spine may feel unusually stiff or immobile, and there may be noticeable deformity in your spinal column. In some cases, compression fractures may occur without any immediate pain symptoms, or with pain that emerges gradually over time.

What Are The Risk Factors of a Vertebral Fracture?

You are at a higher risk of spinal fractures if you play sports like rugby or football where there are frequent collisions, or if you have a job which involves lifting heavy objects (especially if you do not use proper form and lift with your back rather than your legs). A primary risk factor is osteoporosis, which causes your bones to become weaker and more fragile as you age.

How is a Vertebral Fracture Diagnosed?

You and your doctor will first review your symptoms, covering details such as when the pain emerged, whether it was sudden or gradual, and whether any positions or activities increase the severity of your symptoms. Spinal fractures can usually be definitively diagnosed through a physical examination, but an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may be performed to verify the diagnosis and evaluate the severity of the injury.

What Are Possible Treatments For a Vertebral Fracture?

A spinal fracture should usually be held immobile for around three months using a device such as a brace or medical corset. Immobilization ensures that the fracture will heal in the proper position and helps to prevent further injury.

While non-invasive methods are generally preferred, surgery may be necessary in some cases. The two primary minimally invasive surgical options for treating compression fractures are:

– Vertebroplasty: In this procedure, a special type of cement is injected into the fractured vertebra to repair the fracture and stabilize the bone. In most cases, you will experience pain relief and increased mobility almost immediately following the surgery.
– Kyphoplasty: A small balloon-like device is inserted into the spinal column through a small tube, then inflated to create space. This space is then filled with bone cement in order to restore the spinal cord to its original height and shape.

Are There Preventative Steps or Measures To Avoid a Vertebral Fracture?

Simple prevention involves basic things like wearing a seatbelt, avoiding walking on icy patches, and other common sense precautions, but accidents will happen. The best preventive measure is to make lifestyle choices that promote strong bones, such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough calcium and vitamin D, doing exercises that improve strength and bone density, and not smoking cigarettes. All of these are helpful in avoiding or slowing the onset of osteoporosis as you get older

What Are The Risks If a Vertebral Fracture Is Left Untreated?

There are serious risks associated with leaving spinal fractures untreated, including permanent spinal injury and deformity, worsening pain, damage to the nerves of the spinal cord, and even paralysis.

Are There Other Related Conditions To a Vertebral Fracture?

Osteoporosis is one of the primary risk factors for vertebral fractures, and is a frequent contributor to compression fractures of the vertebrae in particular.