Vertebrae fracture, as you can expect, is certainly a serious source of back or neck pain. Most commonly caused by traumatic injury, the elderly are also particularly prone to various fractures with the onset of osteoarthritis and other bone-thinning conditions. However, a vertebrae fracture is not necessarily as serious as it sounds—it’s just painful. For some, a compression fracture only leads to back pain and needs to be stabilized so it can heal on its own. Only in the event of serious trauma and debilitating symptoms is surgery a necessary treatment.
Causes of Vertebrae Fracture
The fracture of a vertebra can be a painful experience or it can go completely undetected, depending on the severity of the injury and subsequent nerve compression caused by the fracture. In most cases a compression fracture will cause localized pain and stiffness, although other pain-related symptoms can present as a result of the damage.
Some of the most common causes of vertebrae fracture include:
- Traumatic injury
- Osteoporosis
- Aging and otherwise weakened bones
- Cancer or other disease
- And more
Treatment
If you are seriously injured, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment of vertebrae compression fracture or fractures actually isn’t as imposing as one might expect. Barring massive injury, a crack in one or more vertebrae can often be managed with conservative care. Painkillers typically are used to reduce the painful symptoms of the injury, while the back is stabilized and allowed to heal over time. Obviously, serious vertebrae fractures may require spine surgery to treat the damage and stabilize the spine.
To learn more about the causes and treatments of vertebrae fracture, contact the experienced specialists at Laser Spine Institute (LSI). We are happy to review your MRI or CT scan to help you chose the treatment that is right for you.
