Is it back pain? It could be a compression fracture.

Have you suddenly started having back pain? Not only when bending over, lifting something heavy, but sometimes even when you sneeze, do you feel a sharp pain in your back? This experience is probably familiar to older people, especially our mothers and grandmothers. We often think that this is just a sprain or a muscle strain. But sometimes the cause of this pain can be something a little more serious. That is what this 'Compression Fracture' is. Let's talk about it simply today.

Simply put, what is a compression fracture?

Imagine that our spine is made up of a bunch of tiny bones stacked on top of each other. We call each of these bones a vertebra. Our spine is made up of many of these vertebrae. To be precise, a compression fracture is a small crack, burst, or break in one of these vertebrae.

These fractures usually occur in the front of the vertebrae, in the thick, rounded part. When one or two vertebrae break in this way, the bones weaken and begin to collapse and become brittle. Over time, this can affect our posture. That's why some people look hunched over.

Although this condition can occur anywhere in the spine, it is most common in the middle of the spine at chest level (Thoracic spine). The main cause of this is osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to weaken with age. Apart from that, it can also be caused by an injury caused by an accident or by tumors that weaken the bones.

What are the main types of compression fractures?

Doctors divide these fractures into several types, depending on how they are broken. It's good for you to have a little idea about this too.

Also, these breaks can be ``Stable`` or ``Unstable``.

• A stable fracture means that the broken bone pieces do not move around.
• An unstable fracture is a condition in which broken bone fragments can move out of place and damage surrounding nerves and tissues.

Do you also have these symptoms?

The symptoms of a compression fracture can sometimes be very subtle. If it's a small crack, you might not notice anything. But there are some common signs to look out for. See if these are familiar to you.

• Back pain that starts suddenly. This pain is relieved when you rest, but increases when you move or walk.
• Difficulty moving the body. It feels difficult to bend, twist, stand, or walk.
• Numbness or loss of sensation in the back. This may be caused by pinched nerves from broken bone fragments.
• Feeling severe pain when pressing on the painful area with your hand.
• Muscle weakness or muscle twitching.

What are the main reasons for this?

These break due to pressure on the vertebrae in our spine. There are three main reasons for this.

1. Osteoporosis: This is the main and most common cause. As we age, our bones naturally lose strength. They become thinner and weaker. When they become weak like this, even the smallest thing can cause a bone to break. Just think, getting out of a car, sneezing suddenly, or turning your body suddenly can cause this type of fracture.

2. Accidents or injuries: This condition can also be caused by severe damage to the spine, such as a fall or a car accident.

3. Cancer: Some types of cancer can spread to the spine, weakening the vertebrae and causing them to break.

Who is more at risk?

You are also at higher risk of developing this condition if:

• If you are a woman who has gone through menopause.
• If you have another medical condition that affects bone strength.
• If you are over 50 years old.
• If you have had a compression fracture before.

How do I find this exactly?

If you have these symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor. The doctor will first examine you.

• Your spine position, posture, and height are checked.
• They press on different parts of the back to find out exactly where the pain is coming from.
• They check for nerve damage, numbness, and weakness.

Then, several imaging tests are ordered to accurately assess the condition of the bones, muscles, and tissues.

• A spine X-ray, CT scan, or MRI: These can clearly see things like fractures and breaks in the bones.
• DEXA scan: This is a special type of X-ray. It helps measure how weak your bones are, that is, how low your bone density is.
• Myelogram: This involves injecting a special liquid (contrast dye) into the spinal cord and taking a CT scan or X-ray. This allows the images to be seen more clearly.

What is the best treatment for this?

Treatment depends on the nature, severity, and cause of your fracture. The main goals of treatment are to:

• Pain reduction.
• Spinal stabilization.
• Preventing another breakup.

Can this heal on its own ?

Yes, some types of simple compression fractures can heal on their own. But it can take several months. During that time, your doctor may ask you to wear something like a brace to make sure your spine is healing properly. If you have increased pain or difficulty performing daily activities while you are healing, let your doctor know.

When should we see a doctor?

If you have sudden back pain or other symptoms that don't go away in two or three days, be sure to see a doctor. It's especially important to see a doctor on time if you have osteoporosis.

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