Every patient is different, and each diagnostic process will be unique, as well. Your provider may use a combination of techniques to determine your diagnosis.
If fractured vertebrae occur as the result of an accident, the injury is often diagnosed in an emergency room. Other times, a primary care provider or a spine specialist will make a diagnosis using several tools. An X-ray is usually the first step to look for a break. Advance imaging, such as MRI or CT, may be used to further evaluate how bad the break is and how it affects the spinal cord or nerve roots. If bone weakness is a concern, a bone density scan may be needed to assess for osteoporosis or osteopenia.
During your first office visit, your healthcare provider will spend time with you and learn about your symptoms and overall health. They will:
- Conduct a physical exam
- Discuss your medical history and your current health conditions
- Listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level
An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scan is a type of noninvasive image created using magnets to create a radiofrequency current that passes through your body and produces images of soft tissues. Using MRI, doctors can see abnormalities such as aneurysms and muscle or ligament injuries. MRI does not expose you to radiation.
A CT, or computed tomography, scan is a type of image created from multiple X-ray images taken by a scanner that rotates around your body. These X-rays are combined by a computer to show organs and soft tissues. A CT scan can help identify conditions such as bleeding, infections and tumors.
If you are diagnosed with a vertebral fracture, your provider may order a bone density scan. This is also called a DXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan. This test uses X-rays to measure bone density. This helps to determine whether you have osteoporosis, a condition that makes the bones weak, or are at risk.
A bone density scan is a quick, painless test. During the test, you will lie on an X-ray table as a machine arm scans your body to capture images of your bones. A small amount of radiation is used to capture your bone density in images and graphs for your provider to read.