Vertebral Compression Fracture Pain

A compression fracture occurs when the normal vertebral body of the spine is compressed to a smaller height. This injury tends to happen in people who are involved in traumatic accidents, or in individuals with osteoporosis. The symptoms include back pain, or a curvature in the spine. The best treatment is prevention. Treatment for this injury is aimed at alleviating the pain, and preventing future injuries. If the pain is severe and the collapse is becoming problematic a procedure called vertebroplasty may be considered. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist restores the height of the bones and injects cement into the vertebra to stabilize the fracture. Compression fractures can heal completely in about twelve weeks. Once a patient experiences one compression fracture they are likely to experience more; therefore prevention of future compression fractures must be addressed.