Back Fracture (Compression Fracture)

Your spine stretches from the base of your skull to your tailbone. It's composed of 33 bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of one another. These bones are strong enough to support the weight of your upper body. Certain injuries, however, can damage one or more of the vertebrae and cause them to collapse. A collapsed bone in your spine is known as a compression fracture.

What to expect in the ER

A healthcare provider will ask about your health history and examine you. In some cases, you may have X-rays. You also may have other tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. These tests can provide detailed images of your bones and spinal cord.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the type and cause of the fracture. You will be given medicine for pain. Severe fractures or those that cause nerve problems may need surgery. Many compression fractures mend on their own.

Follow-up

As you improve, you may be given exercises to strengthen your bones. If you have osteoporosis, your healthcare provider may prescribe a medicine to treat it. Sometimes you may have pain even after the bone has healed. In that case, your healthcare provider will discuss your further options.

Causes of compression fracture

Many compression fractures result from osteoporosis. This disease thins your bones and weakens so they can't withstand normal pressure and are more likely to break. Trauma from a car accident or hard fall can fracture even healthy vertebrae. In rare cases, vertebrae may fracture for unknown reasons.