Question 1

what is a compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

Collapse of bone: Typically refers to collapse of a vertebrae in the spinal column.  Occurs from trauma and associated with osteoporosis.

Question 2

how is compression fracture diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Xrays: Most acute fractures are easily seen on a plain xray. Sometimes depending on the clinical situation an MRI scan or bone scan is necessary.

Question 3

is pt required for a compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

No: The majority of patients do not require therapy for a compression fracture.  Usually walking for exercise and wearing a brace for 3 months to allow the fracture to heal are all that is required.  There are of course exceptions but typically it is as specified above.

Question 4

what are the tests for compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

Radiologic: Diagnosis of compression fx starts with plain spine x-rays. If DX is uncertain or suspicious for pathologic fx (bone infiltrated by tumor of any kind, including malignancies), then further imaging is required, such as ct, mri, bone scan, pet scan. These decisions must be made by the diagnostician involved.

Question 5

will a severe compression fracture heal on its own?

Accepted Answer

Yes, over months: A compression fracture happens when a bone of the vertebral column partially collapses. The cubical shape of the bone deforms into a wedge shape on 1 side. The bone will heal over time with the wedge deformity but that usually causes the injured to have a small loss of height which is permanent without surgery.

Question 6

i have a 20% compression fracture in my l1. is there on going pain once its healed? thanks!

Accepted Answer

Likely no: But there are no guarantees in future predictions.  20% is not a huge degree of compression, and you don't say how old it is, as this could possibly increase or get worse in the future.  How gentle and kind you are to your back now is a factor in if this progresses in the future or not.  You need to stay active, but you need to protect your back from future stress as much is as reasonable.

Question 7

what is the treatment for compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

Rest & analgesics: Vertebral fracture, often a compression fracture in osteoporotic skin, if not caused by trauma, is often very painful.  If intractable not effectively treated with pain medication (analgesics), hospitalization may be required.

Question 8

i have a compression fracture on my hip. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Stress fracture: We use this term with stress fracture of the hip. This means the bone shorter than normal and the bone little more dense than before.

Question 9

which specifically is a compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

Compression fracture: Compression fractures of the spine are most related to trauma and what happens is the vertebral body, a bony structure in your spine becomes "compression" or shortened in height due to a pressure from trauma that causes it to collagse.

Question 10

what are the main symptoms of compression fracture?

Accepted Answer

Pain: Compression fractures are painful at the site of the fracture.  Most heal on their own without any intervention.  A brace can be worn for comfort to take the stress off of the fracture.  If the pain does not go away on its own in a few months, then they can easily be treated as an outpatient with a very short surgery that has no recovery period and no activity restrictions after surgery.

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Compression fracture medication

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What is a compression fracture?

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How is compression fracture diagnosed?

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Is pt required for a compression fracture?

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What are the tests for compression fracture?

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Will a severe compression fracture heal on its own?

A member asked:

I have a 20% compression fracture in my l1. is there on going pain once its healed? thanks!

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What is the treatment for compression fracture?

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I have a compression fracture on my hip. what does this mean?

A member asked:

Which specifically is a compression fracture?

A member asked:

What are the main symptoms of compression fracture?

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