Spinal fractures can occur even in minor falls, injury or trauma. Not all spinal injuries require surgery, but a major problem can lead to long term trouble and pain. Vertebral compression fracture (spinal fracture) occurs when one of the bones in the spine collapses or fractures.
What causes spinal fracture?
The spine coming in contact with any external force, such as fall may cause the vertebral body to crush and to cause compression resulting in fracture. Depending upon the compression the pain varies, if the compression is affecting the spinal cord or nerve you will experience severe pain. Among some risk factors, osteoporosis is the most common as the fracture or injury causes bones to weaken.
What treatments are available?
Usually, the treatment begins with a physical examination with an X-ray report. Then depending upon the type of stability, bracing and/or surgery may be necessary. While some of the methods for treating the spinal injury is as follows:
• Non-surgery method- Sometimes pain caused by spinal injury doesn’t require medical attention and can heal naturally within 3 months. And the pain significantly improves within a matter of days and weeks. If you see no progress in the improvement of pain then you should seek medical help and treatment.
• Pain medication- Sometimes doctors write pain prescriptions that relieve bone to bone, muscle, and nerve pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen is two types of non-prescription medications which are usually recommended. In some cases, an antidepressant is also helpful in relieving the pain and relaxing the muscles.
• Exercising or physiotherapy helps improve the mobility of the bones and muscles. Bed rest is only recommended by the doctors for a short period because prolonged inactivity can cause muscle and bone loss and worsening of the condition.
• Back bracing provides external support to the spinal structure and limits the motion of the fractured vertebra.
• Surgery procedures are only recommended by doctors when there is a serious condition to treat unstable fractures.
• Minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are performed to treat compression fractures caused by spinal tumors or osteoporosis.
