Compression fractures of the back

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Compression fracture

Vertebral compression fractures

• Back pain with sudden or chronic onset
• Shortened height
• Kyphosis (hunchback)

Physical examination may show kyphosis. There is also tenderness over the injured vertebrae.

A spine x-ray shows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebrae.

If there is no history of significant trauma, a bone density test needs to be done to evaluate for osteoporosis.

If there is concern that the fracture was caused by a tumor eating away at and weakening the bone, a CT or MRI scan is necessary to get a better look at the bone. Also, if the fracture was caused by high-energy trauma (fall from a height, car accident, etc.) then a CT scan is needed to see if there are bone fragments pressing on the spinal cord.

Review Date: 05/31/2006
Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, MD, MSCE, Sports Medicine, Orthopaedic Specialists, Bryn Mawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.