![]() You might also want to consider sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs. This means taking a break from physical activity and putting your feet up as much as possible. The easiest thing you can do for VCF is to rest. ![]() In many cases, VCF can be treated without surgery, but if all else fails, surgery may be necessary. There are several treatment options available for VCF, and the best course of action will depend on the severity of the fracture and your individual circumstances. This is the part you're probably most interested in. These scans provide a more detailed image of the spine and can help to identify small fractures that may not be visible on an X-ray. The most common diagnostic tool is an X-ray, which can show if there has been any vertebral collapse.ĬT and MRI scans are also used to diagnose VCF. There are several ways you can check for VCF. So, undergo the following to check for VCF. Long-term effects of spinal compression fracture, NHS claims, can lead to chronic pain, kyphosis, as well as loss of height. Don't diagnose yourself based on a numb arm or back pain. We've said it earlier, but we'll double down on it. Osteomyelitis, which is an infection of the bone, can also lead to VCF, and so can Paget's disease. Other conditions like ankylosing spondylitis, which is a form of arthritis that affects the spine, can cause VCF. Underlying medical conditionsĬertain medical conditions, such as cancer, can weaken your bones and make them more susceptible to fractures. This is more likely to occur if you have osteoporosis, as the force of the impact is more likely to cause a break in a weakened bone than a healthy one. Physical traumaĪ fall, car accident or other severe trauma can cause a compression fracture. It's more common in (post-menopausal) women than men, and in people with a family history of the condition, but pretty much anyone is at some level of risk. Living with osteoporosis of the spine is not easy, and it can affect many people. In other words, causes your bones to weaken and become thin. Osteoporosis is a condition that causes you to lose bone density. VCF is usually caused by (severe) osteoporosis, physical trauma or an underlying medical condition. What can cause Vertebral Compression Fracture? Arms/legs weaknessĪs we've mentioned earlier, if the fracture pinches or presses on a nerve, it can cause numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs. This occurs when the fracture puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the area, resulting in incontinence or urine retention. Urination & bowel problemsĪlthough not common, in some cases, the compression fracture can cause urinary or bowel problems. Muscle spasms are usually a result of the body's natural reaction to the injury and additional strain (compensating for out-of-alignment spine) on the muscles themselves. It's not uncommon to experience muscle spasms in the surrounding areas of the compression fracture. Therefore, you may find that you need to use a walker or cane for support or consider relaxing and lying down. This happens because the weight-bearing activity puts extra pressure on the fracture, which can be quite painful. Increased back pain while walkingĪnother common symptom is an increase in pain while walking. ![]() In some cases, the broken bone may press on a nerve, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs, but more on that later. The most common symptom of a compression fracture is severe back pain which may worsen when you stand or sit for long periods of time, and it may be relieved by lying down. The ones listed below could indicate fractured vertebrae. Spine injury symptoms can be various, so it's best to see a doctor as soon as you notice something. However, that doesn't mean every time you get a backache, you have a compression fracture. What are the signs of Vertebral Compression Fracture? They can be painful and debilitating, but with proper treatment, most people make a full recovery. These fractures most commonly occur in the thoracic (middle) and lumbar (lower back) region of the spine. This pressure can be caused by physical trauma, such as a car accident, or it can be the result of a medical condition, such as osteoporosis. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting this claim, at least not in the sense that sleeping on your side could affect your cardiovascular health.Ī VCF can occur when a vertebra collapses due to extra pressure on the bone. However, over time, the cartilage can begin to degrade, leaving the vertebrae vulnerable to injury. These pads help to absorb the impact of everyday activity, and they also allow the spine to flex and twist. The spine is made up of a series of vertebrae, and each vertebra is cushioned by a small pad of cartilage. Vertebral Compression Fracture (VCF) is a type of break that occurs in the bones of the spine. ![]()
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