Vertebral Compression Fractures
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are fractures of the vertebrae, or the bones of the spine. In a VCF, a vertebral bone collapses, and may affect ore than one vertebra. It is most commonly caused by osteoporosis, but may also be caused by trauma to the back or by tumors which have started in the vertebra or spread there from elsewhere in the body. VCFs are more common in women than in men, but they are also a major health concern for older men. The fracture may cause part of the vertebra to put pressure on the spinal cord, affecting the nerves and the cord. The spinal canal may narrow if pieces of the broken vertebral body push into it. This lack of space could lower the supply of blood and oxygen to the spinal cord, leading to numbness or pain, irritation, and inflammation.
Symptoms
Some common symptoms include a sudden onset of back pain, limited spinal mobility, loss of height, and eventual deformity and disability. Multiple fractures can lead to kyphosis or a dowager’s hump- a hump-like curvature of the spine. Pain or other symptoms may be worse with walking, and may not be present when resting. If the fracture occurs as a result of osteoporosis, the thoracic vertebrae (vertebae in the chest area) or the lumbar vertebrae (vertebrae in the lower back area) are usually affected.
Treatment
Dr. Berti first treats his patients with VCF with a period of bed rest, over-the-counter pain medications, and bracing. Back bracing will provide support to the vertebrae and will limit movement, reducing spine-related motion and pain greatly. If these conservative treatment options do not help, Dr. Berti may recommend two minimally-invasive procedures: vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, or spine surgery to stabilize the vertebra. Pain secondary to acute vertebral fractures appears to be caused in part by vertebral instability.
- Vertebroplasty
- Kyphoplasty
- Spine Surgery