Spinal Fractures - The Consequences Of Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis

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Spinal fractures

These fractures are more than twice as common as hip fractures. The event that leads to a spinal fracture is often less dramatic than the falls that cause hips to break. Still, these fractures can be quite debilitating.

Spinal fractures usually occur with little trauma; the simple acts of daily life, such as bending over, coughing, or lifting, can be all that's needed to collapse a vertebra. In such cases, the bones of the spine, which consist primarily of trabecular bone, aren't broken in the usual sense of the term. Rather than being snapped like twigs — as in the case of a broken arm or leg — the vertebrae are compressed, in the same way that an upturned paper cup would be flattened when stepped on. The illustration in Figure 6 contrasts compressed and normal vertebrae and shows the effects of compression fractures on the spine. Vertebral fractures can cause a loss of height and, more serious, a rounding of the back known as dorsal kyphosis, or dowager's hump.

Figure 6: A look at normal and compressed vertebrae Normal vertebrae are upright, but if several vertebrae collapse, it can cause a curvature of the spinal column known as dowager's hump. This condition can make it difficult to walk without a cane or walker and can interfere with proper breathing and digestion.

Compression fractures may be accompanied by pain that is sharp, dull, intense, or radiating around the side. The pain may also come from spasms in the muscles at the sides of the spine, and may come and go for several months, tending to recur after the person sits in the same position for a long time. It can usually be relieved with pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

In many instances, vertebral fractures cause little or no pain. The principal clue that they may have occurred is a gradual shrinkage or stooped posture. The amount of height lost and the degree of deformity will depend on the number, location, and severity of the compression fractures. However, narrowing of the cushion-like disks between vertebrae — which often occurs as part of aging — may also cause a loss of height and deformity.

Most people who have vertebral fractures have one or two, most commonly in the thoracic, or mid-back, region. While one or two mid-back compression fractures may produce only a slight loss of height, many can profoundly affect your appearance, mobility, and health. As the number of fractures increases, the spine becomes progressively more distorted. The upper body is thrust down and forward. The abdominal muscles sag, and the space between the ribs and the pelvis closes. The chest wall is cramped, and the abdominal organs are compressed and pushed forward. Breathing may be difficult, and digestion may be impaired, with bloating and heartburn common.

Mobility is affected almost as badly by severe spinal deformity as it is by a hip fracture. Since it is difficult to walk erect, a cane or walker becomes essential. Riding in a car for more than a few minutes can be very uncomfortable.

Last updated:	January 23, 2007