Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.
Updated September 22, 2015.
Vertebral Compression Fracture and Quality of Life
Unfair as it may seem, life after a vertebral compression fracture may not be as rosy as you'd prefer. In fact, your symptoms may even, at times, seem illogical.
Vertebral compression fractures affect 1.5 million people in the U.S. every year, according to Alexandru and So in their article "Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures." The article was published in the Fall 2012 issue of Permanente Journal.
Vertebral compression fractures are very common in elderly women and men with osteoporosis. Osteoporosis raises the risk of fracture, particularly with advanced age.
This article walks you through quality of life changes that may occur following one or more vertebral compression fractures.
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Acute Pain Following Vertebral Compression Fracture
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Updated September 22, 2015.
Acute Pain from a Vertebral Compression Fracture
As with most back or neck injuries you may or may not have acute pain immediately after sustaining a compression fracture. Dr. Anthony Vaccaro, in his book, Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics says that approximately 65% of patients with vertebral compression fractures don't experience symptoms.
That said, debilitating back pain and associated loss of physical functioning are frequent with this type of injury.
The pain that is experienced can be variable and it may include sharp pain.
Vaccaro says that pain from spinal compression fracture generally does not correlate with what is seen on patients' x-rays.
Acute pain from a vertebral compression fracture generally lasts up to about a month, after which time many patients report feeling better. Even so, symptoms can linger for up to several months.
Related: Simple Wedge Fracture
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Chronic Pain Following Vertebral Compression Fracture
Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.
Updated September 22, 2015.
Chronic Pain Following Vertebral Compression Fracture
As the acute pain related to a vertebral compression fracture subsides, chronic pain may set in. A greater number of fractured spinal bones generally results in a higher risk of chronic pain.
Chronic pain related to vertebral compression fracture may be due to posture changes that occur after sustaining and adapting to the injury. Vaccaro says patients often report that their low ribs rub against the top of the hip bone, causing irritation, discomfort and/or pain.
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Kyphosis and Dowagers Hump Following a Vertebral Compression Fracture
Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.
Updated September 22, 2015.
Kyphosis Due to Vertebral Compression Fracture
More than one vertebral compression fracture can lead to kyphosis or Dowager's hump, a posture condition that will likely get worse over time. As it does, a number of health challenges may develop, including decreased lung functioning, poor nutrition and/or weight loss from decreased appetite, and more.
Alexandru and So suggest that a decline in health status in vertebral compression fracture patients may be responsible for their higher mortality rates and poorer health, relative to the general population.
Vaccaro says that nerve symptoms may show up later - even up to 18 months later. This is due, he says, to changes that occur as the spinal cord adapts to the kyphosis.
Related: Kyphosis (General)
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Activities of Daily Living after a Vertebral Compression Fracture
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Updated September 22, 2015.
Activities of Daily Living after a Vertebral Compression Fracture
Your ability to carry out your usual routine may change following one or more vertebral compression fractures. This is because common activities such as sitting, bending and standing can intensify the pain.
Related:The 3 Worst Bad Back Moves
For many people with spinal fracture, standing is the worst. Vaccaro says that tolerance for standing may decrease to only a few seconds at a time.
Vacarro also
suggests that only about 13% of vertebral compression fracture patients could perform basic activities such as getting dressed, climbing stairs, carrying bags and the like, without assistance, and about 47% of the patients needed assistance.
Related:Recover your Ability to Do Daily Activities
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.
Updated September 22, 2015.
Self-Esteem and Vertebral Compression Fracture
Living with vertebral compression fractures can affect your character. The resulting kyphotic posture discussed earlier is not only a therapeutic concern but a cosmetic one as well.
If you are a woman, your body image or self-esteem may be affected. This may lead to depression or anxiety, or weight loss related to decreased appetite.
According to Alexandru and So, 25% of postmenopausal women are affected by vertebral fracture sometime in their life.
Related: 7 Tips for a Successful Spinal Rehab
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.
Written or medically reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Policy.
Updated September 22, 2015.
Decrease your Risk Of Another Fracture
While bed rest is one non-surgical treatment for vertebral compression fracture (which likely should be combined with others), too much bed rest may accelerate bone loss.
In elderly people, bone loss and osteoporosis tend to be the strongest factors that lead to fracture in the first place. By including at least some activity in your day, you may be able to stem part or all of the risk for another fracture.
Related:Back Pain and Sleep
Sources:
Alexandru, D., MD, So, W. MD. Evaluation and Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Perm J. 2012 Fall; 16(4): 46–51. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523935/
Vaccaro, A. Spine: Core Knowledge in Orthopedics. Elsevier/Mosby. 2005. Philadelphia.