Movement does not affect the healing process. But we understand that spinal fractures can make staying mobile a challenge. If your pain is severe in the early stages, rest for a while. When you're ready, try taking a pain-relieving medication to help you stay active. Sometimes, a spinal fracture continues to cause severe pain. If this happens to you and pain relieving medications aren't helping, your doctor may consider a medical procedure , to help relieve the pain.
In some cases, you can expect to recover well from a spinal fracture. You can expect your broken bone to heal within about three months. Ongoing pain after a spinal fracture has healed is caused by the change of shape to your spine. This change of shape can cause different types of pain. If you're in pain, be reassured there are things you can do to help manage your pain , and continue living the lifestyle you enjoy as far as possible.
If a spinal fracture pinches or irritates a nerve as it heals, pain can continue after healing. Pain can also continue if nerves become overly sensitive. In this case, they continue to 'fire off' pain signals after the bone has healed. A change in the shape of your spine can stretch or shorten your back muscles.
You may experience a spasm when lifting an object or when pushing, pulling, bending or twisting, such as when using a vacuum cleaner. A change in the shape of your spine puts strain on the joints and ligaments between your spinal bones. If you have arthritis in your back, it can be aggravated by the change in the shape of your spine. If you break multiple bones in your spine, you lose height, and may notice an outward curve at the top of your spine.
This is caused by the broken bones in your spine healing in a squashed or compressed shape. This can cause shortness of breath and your stomach may feel squashed and bloated, making everyday movements more uncomfortable. If you're experiencing these symptoms, there are things you can do to make daily living easier for you.
You can find out more in our daily living after fractures factsheet. We only use essential cookies that are necessary to make our site work. Find out more in our cookie policy. Search Login Search. Information and support. Become a member. Free osteoporosis Helpline. Support in your area. Newly diagnosed.
Living with osteoporosis. Scans, tests and results. Numbness or tingling, weak muscles, problems walking, and possible trouble controlling your bowels or bladder because of nerve damage If the fracture happens rapidly, you may feel sudden, severe, disabling back pain. How is a compression fracture diagnosed? How is a compression fracture treated? Other types of treatment include: Pain medicine to relieve your back pain Bed rest for a short time, followed by limited activity while your bones heal Wearing a back brace Physical therapy to help you move better and strengthen the muscles around your spine Different types of surgery are available and may be needed if other treatments aren't helping: Vertebroplasty.
Using an X-ray for guidance, your surgeon uses a small needle to inject special quick-setting cement into your fractured vertebra. The cement provides support for the broken vertebra, strengthens the area, and usually results in pain relief. This surgery is a lot like vertebroplasty. But before the cement is injected, small balloons are used to expand the fractured space to help make the vertebra taller. The balloons are removed, and then the empty space is filled with cement.
What are possible complications of a compression fracture? What can I do to prevent a compression fracture? Living with a compression fracture Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis usually become less painful with medicines and rest.
When should I call my healthcare provider? Call your healthcare provider if: You have back pain and think you may have a compression fracture, especially if you know you have osteoporosis, have had an injury to your back, or have cancer Your symptoms such as pain, limited movement, numbness keep getting worse You have trouble controlling your bladder and bowel function.
Key points about a compression fracture A compression fracture is a type of fracture or break in your vertebrae the bones that make up your spine. Other causes include injuries to the spine and tumors. Treatment of compression fractures may include medicine, rest, a back brace, or physical therapy. Sometimes, surgery is needed. The risk of new fractures can be reduced by doing regular weight-bearing exercises that increase strength, and balance exercises that reduce the risk for falls.
If you have osteoporosis, check with your osteoporosis specialist before starting an exercise program.
Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you.
Also know what the side effects are. Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean. Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. If rest is indicated, your doctor may also use additional things to support your healing, such as a back brace, muscle relaxants, and pain medication. For more severe fractures, or for people who meet the qualifications, surgery, such as a minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion , may also be done to correct the fracture.
One of the most important aspects of healing from a compression fracture is preventing re-injury. If you have surgery, you should always follow any instructions given by your surgeon and avoid any lifting or exercise for at least several weeks. With surgery for a compression fracture, you will not be able to twist or bend your back for as much as 6 weeks following the surgery. That means that you will have to change the way that you do a lot of your normal activities of daily life, such as getting out of bed.
Your surgeon may prescribe physical therapy to help you learn the correct and safe way to move throughout your day, so be sure to keep all of your physical therapy appointments and perform the recommended activities and exercises they ask you to do as well. Anytime you move, remember that the goal is to keep the spine as straight and lengthened as possible, to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the back. Prepare to get out of bed by positioning your body as close to the side of the bed as you can.
Push your body up off of the bed with your arms while keeping your back straight, so you come up to a sitting position on the side of your bed. At the same time, lower your legs over the side of the bed while keeping your back straight.
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