A compression fracture is a type of broken bone that can cause your vertebrae to collapse, making them shorter. If the fracture is caused by osteoporosis, treatment of the osteoporosis can help prevent additional fractures. During these procedures, the surgeon places a bone graft across the area of instability, allowing the vertebrae to fuse (grow together). Fractures may be mild to severe. A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a collapse or breakdown in a bone in your spine. The information is produced and reviewed by over 200 medical professionals with the goal of providing trusted, uniquely informative information for people with painful health conditions. In this type of fracture, the vertebra loses height on both the front and back sides. In some cases, the surgeon may need to perform a spinal stabilization and fusion surgery to support the spine until the bone heals. Lumbar compression fractures can be a devastating injury, therefore, for 2 reasons. A lumbar compression fracture is located in the lower portion of the spine. Second, the fracture can alter the mechanics of the posture. The is the cylindrical shaped portion of the vertebral one that lies in front and provides the majority of structural support. is a ring-shaped section that forms the roof of the spinal canal and protects the spinal cord. The most common cause of weakening is osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak and brittle bones. T10, T11, T12). fracture of the vertebral body ertebral fractures typically take about three months to fully heal. Multiple compression fractures can lead to a spinal deformity when the upper back curves forward, creating the appearance of a hunchback. If compression fractures cause symptoms, these may include: numbness and/or weakness in arms or legs (if the fracture has affected the spinal cord and/or surrounding nerves in the spine)over an extended period, patients may notice a loss of heightA compression fracture that occurs suddenly can be very painful, but a compression fracture that occurs gradually may cause pain only gradually.Rarely, compression fractures occur in healthy vertebrae as a result of trauma.More often, the vertebra with a compression fracture is already weakened. ICD-10-CM Codes › S00-T88 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes ; S30-S39 Injuries to the abdomen, lower back, lumbar spine, pelvis and external genitals ; S32-Fracture of lumbar spine and pelvis Fracture of lumbar vertebra S32.0 Fracture of lumbar vertebra S32.0- Sometimes, more than one vertebra fractures, a condition called multiple compression fractures. Compression fractures happen when there is too much pressure on the vertebra. The clear separation between the editorial content and Over the past 20 years, people have viewed 1.8 Billion pages on Quality oversight for all Veritas Health content is provided by our This site is for educational purposes only; no information is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The lumbar spine is more mobile than the thoracic spine. An axial burst fracture can sometimes result in nerve compression. In some cases, a person who experiences multiple compression fractures may notice a loss of height.Compression fractures usually occur in the thoracic (middle) or lumbar (lower) spine.Compression fractures may or may not cause symptoms. These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), especially in the lower part. The doctor will order X-rays monthly to see how the fracture is healing. The type of fracture in the spine that is typically caused by osteoporosis is generally referred to as a compression fracture.These compression fractures can occur in vertebrae anywhere in the spine, but they tend to occur most commonly in the upper back (thoracic spine), particularly in the lower vertebrae of that section of the spine (e.g. Usually, in a healthy individual, it takes a traumatic event to cause a lumbar compression fracture. (The amount of radiation is small–less than the radiation in half of one CT scan.) The surgeon may perform a vertebroplasty or a kyphoplasty. Compression fractures can occur at any point in the spine, but are more typically seen in the lower section of the upper back, otherwise known as the thoracic spine.In short, a compression fracture is the breaking of a vertebra. You can feel the , a projection from this arch, when you press on the skin in the middle of your back. It is often caused by landing on the feet after falling from a significant height. In some cases, a person who experiences multiple compression fractures may notice a loss of height. The largest vertebrae are in the lumbar region. Compression fractures are caused by pressure placed against the vertebrae due to lack of disc cushioning between the spinal bones, often caused by conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis. Pain Foundation to develop valuable Spine-health is referenced in some of the most popular Veritas Health is not owned by companies that sell products or medications.
Fracture types. Your spine supports your weight, allows you to move, and protects your spinal cord and the nerves that go from it to the rest of your body.