About one-quarter of postmenopausal women in the United States have vertebral compression fractures, which can affect anyone who has osteoporosis or was in an accident, including men. Dan DuBose, MD, and his team of pain experts treat compression fractures at D3 Pain Management in Willow Park, Texas, to alleviate pain and reduce the risk of complications, including loss of height. If you have osteoporosis and back pain, contact D3 Pain Management for a compression fracture evaluation by phone or online form today.

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What is a vertebral compression fracture?

A vertebral compression fracture is a small crack in one of the bones that protect your spinal cord, which are called the vertebrae. Usually, an affected vertebra develops more than one fracture. The fractures can cause pieces of the bone to move out of position, putting pressure on your spinal cord and nerves, which can be extremely painful.

What are the symptoms of vertebral compression fractures?

Most vertebral compression fractures don’t cause symptoms at first. Untreated compression fractures cause your bones to collapse, which makes your back look deformed. Some signs and symptoms that you have advanced compression fractures include:

  • Stooped posture
  • Loss of height
  • Sudden back pain
  • Pain in the low or mid-back
  • Neck pain
  • Pain that’s worse if you lie on your back
  • Pain that gets worse if you try to stand up
  • Limited mobility of your spine and back
  • Numbness, pain, and tingling in arms or legs

Untreated compression fractures can cause incontinence in your bowels and bladder, too.

Why do I have compression fractures?

Osteoporosis is the major risk factor for compression factors. Women usually develop them after they go through menopause, but men over 70 are also at increased risk.

Automobile accidents, work-related accidents, and collisions can also cause compression fractures. Be sure to get a thorough physical examination at D3 Pain Management if you’re in an accident, fall, are assaulted, or suffer a sports injury.  Occasionally, compression fractures are caused by cancerous tumors that have metastasized to your vertebrae from other areas in your body.

How do doctors treat compression fractures?

Minor compression fractures may heal on their own if you limit activity for a time, or wear a brace to minimize stress on your back. You can help your bones and the muscles that support them get stronger by adding more calcium to your diet and doing weight-bearing activities, such as walking daily.

If you’re in pain, your D3 Pain Management expert may prescribe medications, administer nerve injections, or refer you for a procedure called kyphoplasty. In kyphoplasty, your doctor inserts a balloon into the fractured vertebra to move the pieces of bone back into a healthy position and then cements them in place.

If you have back pain or loss of height, contact D3 Pain Management for a compression fracture evaluation today by calling or using the online form.