Spine Condition
Vertebral Compression Fractures
When a vertebra collapses — modern treatment that gets you up fast.
Vertebral compression fractures happen when one or more of the bones in the spine collapses, usually due to osteoporosis, trauma, or (less commonly) a tumor weakening the bone. They cause sudden severe back pain, gradual height loss, and a forward-stooping posture. Modern treatment — kyphoplasty in particular — can dramatically and quickly relieve pain in many patients. Our spine team treats both acute fractures and the underlying bone-health issues that caused them.
Understanding the Condition
What is Compression Fractures?
Each vertebra is a block of bone with a soft cancellous interior and a thinner cortical shell. When the load on the vertebra exceeds its strength, the bone collapses — usually wedging forward, which is why the fracture causes a forward-stooping (kyphotic) posture over time.
Most compression fractures occur in the thoracic spine (mid-back) and upper lumbar spine. Osteoporotic fractures often happen with minor trauma — a sneeze, a small fall, lifting a grocery bag — because the bone is already weak. Traumatic fractures from falls or auto accidents in younger patients are different and may need different treatment.
Common Causes
- Osteoporosis (most common — affects up to 1 in 2 women over 50)
- Trauma (falls, motor vehicle accidents)
- Long-term steroid use
- Cancer metastatic to bone (especially breast, prostate, multiple myeloma)
- Primary bone tumors
- Severe vitamin D deficiency
Common Symptoms
- Sudden severe back pain, often after minor exertion
- Pain worse with standing, walking, or lifting
- Pain often relieved by lying down
- Gradual height loss (multiple fractures over time)
- Forward-stooping posture (kyphosis)
- In severe cases: leg pain or weakness if fragments displace into the canal
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
See a specialist within days of sudden severe back pain, especially after age 50 or with known osteoporosis. Compression fractures are often missed initially. Early diagnosis and treatment make a substantial difference — both in pain relief and in preventing the next fracture.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Compression Fractures
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- Pain management with NSAIDs and short-term opioids
- Bracing (TLSO or similar) for support during healing
- Physical therapy after acute pain settles
- Bone density evaluation (DEXA) and osteoporosis treatment
- Calcium and vitamin D optimization
- Calcitonin or bisphosphonate therapy
Surgical Options
- Kyphoplasty — minimally invasive procedure that injects bone cement into the fractured vertebra and partially restores its height; outpatient, dramatic same-day pain relief in many patients
- Vertebroplasty — similar to kyphoplasty without the height-restoration balloon
- Posterior fusion / instrumentation — for unstable or burst fractures
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
Many patients with osteoporotic fractures get significant immediate pain relief from kyphoplasty — often within 24–48 hours. Conservative care also works for many fractures, with healing over 6–12 weeks. The most important next step is preventing the next fracture: vertebrae adjacent to a healed fracture have higher risk.
Meet Your Team
Specialists Who Treat Compression Fractures
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Services That Address Compression Fractures
Compression Fractures — Frequently Asked Questions
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