Compression Fractures -
A Possible Cause of Your Low Back Pain
By Dyan Quesada, MPT, ATC

There are many causes for low back pain. If you suffer from low back pain and have osteoporosis, your physician should rule out compression fractures of the spine. A compression fracture is a crumbling or collapse of the vertebra in the spine. Because those with osteoporosis have weaker bones, the fractures can occur with little or no trauma to the spine.

Often, compression fractures occur without knowing it. If this is the case, multiple fractures can eventually cause you to become shorter due to the collapse of the vertebra. When pain accompanies a fracture, it is usually described as a severe pain in the low or middle back and can mimic a muscle spasm. The pain can radiate to other parts of the back, hips, and legs. The pain can often be traced back to a specific activity, such as making a bed, picking up something, or vacuuming.

Treatment for a compression fracture is as follows: rest according to recommendations from your doctor, wearing a back brace to give the fractured area support, taking medication for pain, and doing physical therapy. Compression fractures typically to the front portion of the vertebra, so bending forward may be discouraged.

Since very little can be done to cure compression fractures, prevention is the best medicine. If you have or are at risk of having osteoporosis, follow all recommendations from your physician. A physical therapist can instruct modifications in movements that increase stress on the spine and a home program to maintain strength. Lastly, stop smoking, as it increases the severity of osteoporosis.

References

Porth, Carol Mattson. Pathophysiology- Concepts of Altered Health States. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1994.

Richardson, Jan K., Iglarsh, Z. Annette. Clinical Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1994.

www.ocpamn.com. “Compression Fracture of the Vertebra.”