How serious is a compressed vertebrae?
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when the bony block or vertebral body in the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity and loss of height. These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), especially in the lower part.
What causes wedging of thoracic vertebrae?
The most common causes for anterior wedging of vertebrae include: Osteoporosis. A weakened bone breaks (called a compression fracture), most often in the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. Trauma.
What is wedging of thoracic vertebrae?
Introduction. A wedge fracture is a vertebral compression fracture occurring anteriorly or laterally. Viewed, the affected vertebra resembles a wedge. These fractures are more commonly found in the thoracic spine, which is rather rigid displaying only a few degrees of flexion and extension.
What causes a wedge compression fracture?
When an external force is applied to the spine, such as from a fall or carrying of a sudden heavy weight, the forces may exceed the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. This may cause the front part of the vertebral body to crush forming a wedge shape.
How do you fix a wedged vertebrae?
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures used to treat vertebral compression fractures of the spine. These painful, wedge-shaped fractures can be caused by osteoporosis and injury. Left untreated, they can lead to a humped spine (kyphosis).
Can a wedge fracture heal?
Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.
What is wedge compression?
The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebral body collapses but the back does not, meaning that the bone assumes a wedge shape. Sometimes, more than one vertebra fractures, a condition called multiple compression fractures.
Can wedge fracture get worse?
The main symptom you’ll notice with a spinal compression fracture is back pain. It may start gradually and get worse over time or come on suddenly and sharply.
How do you fix a wedge compression fracture?
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a surgical procedure performed under anesthesia that may be used to treat compression fractures. During this procedure, a catheter is advanced into the compressed vertebra. Through the catheter, bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra.
Can a compressed vertebrae be fixed?
Kyphoplasty—this surgical operation corrects bone deformations resulting from a spinal compression fracture. Like a vertebroplasty, a bone cement is used to secure a damaged vertebra, but this procedure uses a tiny balloon to create a space into which the compound is inserted.
What is the difference between wedge compression fracture and compression fracture?
In a compression fracture, the vertebral body collapses. The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebral body collapses but the back does not, meaning that the bone assumes a wedge shape.