Vertebral Compression Fractures Treatments In Maryland Pennsylvania and Virginia

What is a Vertebral Compression Fracture

A Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF) is a type of spinal injury that occurs when one or more bones in the spine collapse. These fractures can cause severe pain, decreased physical function, and even reduced height. Typically, they are caused by conditions like Osteoporosis, which weakens the bones, or trauma, such as a fall or car accident.

Vertebral Compression Fractures are quite common, especially among older adults. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, an estimated 700,000 cases of VCFs occur annually in the United States alone. While anyone can suffer a Vertebral Compression Fracture, specific demographics are at a higher risk. The prevalence increases with age, with about 40% of women aged 80 and above likely to experience a VCF.

Older adults, particularly post-menopausal women, are significantly more likely to experience a VCF due to the increased risk of Osteoporosis in this demographic. However, individuals with certain types of cancer, long-term steroid use, or a history of significant trauma may also be at risk.

Long-term effects of spinal compression fracture

Vertebral Compression Fractures primarily affect the vertebral bodies in the spine. Most commonly, they occur in the thoracic spine, the middle portion of the spine, or the upper lumbar spine, the lower part of the spine. A VCF can lead to severe back pain, a hunched forward posture, and a decrease in overall height.

At Pain and Spine Specialists, our dedicated healthcare professionals understand the long term effects of spinal compression fracture on your quality of life. We're here to help with comprehensive, compassionate care to manage pain, improve function, and get you back to living the life you love.

Anatomy Of The Spine

The spinal column comprises 24 individual bones (your vertebrae) and two naturally fused at the base of the spine. The vertebrae are stacked on top of each other to create a canal for the spinal cord. Then there is the Sacrem, a triangular-shaped bone connected to the bottom of the last lumbar vertebrae and between the hip bones. The Coccyx (or tailbone) is three to five small bones fused and located right below the Sacrem.

The spine does not just have vertebrae; there are also 23 intervertebral discs or spinal discs between the bones. Your discs are the cushions between the vertebrates along your spinal column, and your discs act as 'shock absorbers that allow for comfortable bending, twisting, and flexing.

The spinal cord and nerves, part of the central nervous system and send messages from the brain to the muscles, run down the vertebral column. The nerves connect to the base of the brain and travel down the column, where the nerve roots branch off through the space known as the foramen and connect with the peripheral nervous system.

How Do You Get A Compression Fracture

Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs) can occur for various reasons, but Osteoporosis is the most common cause. In this section, we will review Osteoporosis and other causes:

Compression Fractures and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures and occurs in millions of people in the United States. Osteoporosis is when bones weaken with age due to losing calcium and other minerals.

Bones are living tissue that have blood vessels and are made up of proteins, minerals, and vitamins. This living tissue allows your bones to grow and repair as needed throughout your lifespan. As people age, their ability to renew and regrow bone slows down, and bone mass decreases as it is lost faster than the body can replace it, weakening the bones.

Osteoporosis can develop in anyone at any age, but it is most often found in older women. It can also happen in those who are smaller in the frame, have a family history of Osteoporosis, naturally has a low bone density, and anyone who takes certain medications associated with getting Osteoporosis.

Many people do not even realize they have Osteoporosis until a bone fracture forms and starts to cause someone pain. When Osteoporosis sets in, your bones not only become thin and weak, but they also become brittle and most often affect the hips, wrists, and especially the spine. When the bones become so weak and brittle in cases of severe Osteoporosis, any simple daily activity, such as lifting objects, moving about, and coughing or sneezing, can result in a compression fracture. For compression fractures to happen, moderate cases require more forceful activities or traumas, like lifting significantly heavier objects or falling on hard ground.

Compression fractures caused by Osteoporosis are characterized by back pain, a hunched posture, and bones that more easily break altogether.

Other Causes of Compression Fractures include:

1. Trauma: Accidents or falls can cause VCFs, especially in healthy bones. High-impact trauma, such as a car accident or a fall from a significant height, can result in one or multiple VCFs.
2. Cancer: Certain types of cancer can increase the risk of VCFs. These include cancers originating in the spine or spreading (metastasizing) to the spine from other body parts.
3. Long-term steroid use: Steroids, when used for long periods, can lead to Osteoporosis, thereby increasing the risk of VCFs.

Reduce Your Risk Of Compression Fractures

While compression fractures may sometimes be unavoidable, like in situations where a fall or an accident creates the fracture, and the chances for fractures go up with age, there are certain behaviors people can engage in or avoid to lower the risks for compression fractures. Some things you can do include:

Add Calcium To Your Diet: A diet that gives you the proper amount of calcium can help fortify and strengthen bones. The daily recommended amount for males and females between the ages of 19 and 50 is 1,000 milligrams, increasing to 1,200 milligrams a day for those over 50 years old. Dairy (i.e., milk, cheese, and yogurt) is one of the top ways people ingest calcium. Non-dairy options are sardines, salmon, broccoli, kale, and other types of vegetables.

Get Your Vitamin D: This allows the body to absorb calcium more efficiently, strengthening bones. Sunlight is most often how people think they can get their vitamin D, but it can be difficult for those who live in areas that do not get as much sun or have jobs that keep them inside for most of the daylight hours. The daily recommended amount of vitamin D for those between 19 and 70 years of age is 600 IU. If your vitamin D levels are low, you can take a supplement with your doctor's approval.

Exercise for Compression Fracture: Incorporating lumbar compression fracture exercises like strength training with weights is an excellent way to strengthen your bones and back. Exercising regularly when you're young will give the best results, but it is essential to start, no matter your age. Be sure to include both weight-bearing and balance exercises.

Don't Smoke: Smoking lowers the body's ability to absorb calcium, losing bone density.

Understanding these causes and risk factors can help in the prevention and early detection of VCFs. If you're experiencing back pain or other symptoms, compression fracture pain management is essential to prevent further complications.

Vertebral Compression Fracture Symptoms

Compression fracture symptoms can occur suddenly, leading to severe pain in your back region. The pain is commonly felt in the front of the spine or the middle or lower spine. The pain experienced is usually intense and described by some patients as similar to that of a knife. It can be debilitating and persist for several weeks to months before subsiding.

Here are some compression fracture symptoms and signs:

1. Sudden onset of back pain: This is often the first symptom of a VCF. The pain is typically centered around the lower back but can also occur in the middle or upper back.
2. Pain that worsens when standing or walking: Many people with VCFs find that their pain improves when they lie down and worsens when standing or walking.
3. Limited spinal mobility: Because VCFs affect the spine, they can cause a decrease in flexibility or range of motion.
4. Height loss: Over time, multiple VCFs can lead to a noticeable loss in height.
5. Deformity of the spine: In severe cases, VCFs can cause the spine to become curved or misshapen. This is often described as a "dowager's hump" or "hunchback."
6. Neurological symptoms: If the fracture causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, it can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction. These symptoms of a compression fracture require immediate medical attention.

It should be noted that some VCFs may not cause any noticeable symptoms, especially if they are small or occur gradually over time. In such cases, they may only be discovered during an X-ray or other imaging study for another reason.

Diagnosis of Compression Fractures

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we use a comprehensive, multi-modal approach to diagnose Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs). Using advanced diagnostic techniques, our back pain specialists will find out the reason for your pain and then get you on the road to better health immediately. Here are a few steps our physicians use when completing their comprehensive exams:

Physical Examination

The process starts with a thorough physical examination. Our experienced healthcare professionals will check your back for tenderness or sensitivity and assess your spine's range of motion. They may also evaluate your gait and posture.

Review Of Medical History

Understanding your medical history is a crucial part of the diagnostic process. We'll ask about any previous injuries, chronic conditions, lifestyle habits, and the specific characteristics of your pain—such as its location, duration, and what makes it better or worse.

Imaging Tests

Imaging tests provide a detailed view of your spine and help us confirm the diagnosis. These may include:

• X-rays: These can show the location and severity of the fracture.
• MRI scan: This provides detailed images of the soft tissues and can help determine if the fracture is old or new.
• CT scan: In some cases, a CT scan may be used to get a more detailed view of the bone structure.

Bone Density Test

If Osteoporosis is suspected, you may undergo a bone density test. This test uses X-rays to measure the amount of calcium and other minerals in a segment of bone.

Diagnosing VCFs is just the first step. Once we've identified the cause of your pain, our team will work with you to develop an effective treatment plan that aims to alleviate your symptoms, improve your mobility, and enhance your overall quality of life.

Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment

At Pain and Spine Specialists, we offer a comprehensive range of treatments for Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs). We aim to reduce pain, improve mobility, and enhance quality of life. Treatment of compression fractures include:

Injection Therapies

These minimally invasive procedures can help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation and blocking pain signals. For VCFs, the most commonly used injection therapies include:

• Epidural Steroid Injections: These injections deliver steroids directly into the epidural space in your spine to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Facet Joint Injections: These can help diagnose the source of your back pain and provide pain relief.
• Medial Branch Block: This diagnostic test determines whether the facet joints are the source of pain.

Advanced Interventional Procedures

For patients with more severe or persistent VCFs, we offer several advanced interventional procedures, including:

• The Minuteman Procedure: A minimally invasive procedure that can stabilize the fracture and provide immediate pain relief.
• Vertiflex: A minimally invasive indirect decompression procedure that can help relieve spinal stenosis symptoms.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: This treatment involves using heat to disrupt nerve function, preventing the nerves from sending pain signals to the brain.

Conventional Treatment of Compression Fractures

Along with our advanced procedures, we also offer conventional treatments such as:

• Medication Management Programs: These programs can help manage pain and inflammation and may include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescription medications, or osteoporosis medications.
• Referrals to Physical Therapy: Compression Physical therapy can strengthen the muscles around the spine, improve mobility, and help manage pain.

Alternative Therapies

In collaboration with our sister company, Shakthi Health and Wellness Center, we also offer a variety of alternative therapies that can complement your existing treatment for lumbar compression fractures:

• Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique can help manage pain and promote healing.
• Infrared Sauna: This uses heat to help reduce muscle tension and promote relaxation.
• IV Therapy: This can help improve overall wellness and boost recovery.

We believe in a personalized approach to care. After a thorough evaluation, we'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that best fits your needs and lifestyle.