Compression fractures are small breaks or cracks in your spinal bones, known as vertebrae. These fractures cause your spine to weaken and collapse; over time, they may affect your posture. Your spine curves forward, and you look hunched over. A compression fracture Shrewsbury can result from osteoporosis, trauma, or spinal tumors. They are common in women over fifty years due to bone weakening. Compression fractures mostly happen in the middle part of your spine. Some people with compression fractures may not experience symptoms. But most people are unable to stand or walk without pain.
Symptoms of compression fractures
Back is a common symptom of compression fractures. It can come suddenly or last for a prolonged period. Pain mostly occurs anywhere between your shoulders and your lower back. It may get better when you lie down and worsen when you stand or walk. Your spine may become inflexible, and you may be unable to twist or bend over. If the nerves are pinched or damaged, you may experience tingling and numbness in your back and trouble walking.
Treatments for compression fractures
Medications
Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. Muscle relaxers can help ease muscle spasms, but doctors prescribe them for a short period because they can lead to addiction. Bisphosphonates can help slow further bone loss, stabilize bones, and prevent fractures. These drugs are suitable if you have osteoporosis. Your doctor can prescribe antidepressants to help relieve nerve-related pain.
Braces
A special kind of back brace can support your vertebrae. It can also ease pain by minimizing how much you move your spine. Ensure you use your braces cautiously and under your doctor’s supervision. Excessive use of braces for lumbar issues can weaken and lose muscle.
Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a minimally-invasive technique where your specialist uses a small needle to inject certain quick-setting cement into the fractured vertebra. The specialist uses an X-ray for guidance. The cement supports your fractured vertebra, strengthening the region and easing pain.
Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty involves your surgeon using small balloons to expand the fractured space to make the vertebra taller before injecting cement. The surgeon removes the balloon and fills the space with cement. Kyphoplasty can help relieve pain from a vertebral fracture that has persisted for more than six weeks.
Spinal fusion surgery
Your doctor can recommend spinal fusion surgery to eliminate motion between two vertebrae and reduce pain if you have spinal compression fractures. The surgical procedure involves your specialist connecting two or more vertebrae, holding them in the right position, and keeping them from moving until they fuse. Your surgeon places metal screws through a small tube and into the vertebrae. The screws are attached to metal rods bolted together in the back of your spine. The devices hold the vertebrae in place to stop movement, allowing it to fuse. Your surgeon then grafts bone into the spaces between vertebrae.
Compression fractures are small breaks or cracks in your spinal bones. They may cause back pain, tingling, and numbness, and you may have a hunchback. Medications, braces, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, and spinal fusion can help treat compression fractures. Schedule an appointment at the Center for the Functional Restoration of the Spine for compression fracture treatment to relieve your back pain.
