Every patient is different, and the treatment process is tailored to each patient. Your provider may use a combination of techniques to treat fractured vertebrae.
Treatment will vary depending on the type and severity of the fracture. At our Comprehensive Spine Center, your care team will work together to create a personalized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
If there is no evidence that the spinal cord or nerve roots are injured, then we will use conservative treatment options. These include restricted activity, rest and bracing.
Most vertebral fractures will stabilize and become less painful over the span of several weeks. If bone quality is a concern, then we may start medical therapies to treat osteoporosis/osteopenia. Once the fracture stabilizes and pain subsides, physical therapy will be needed.
If conservative treatments aren’t enough to alleviate symptoms or heal the fracture, interventional treatment may be suggested. There are two primary types of interventional treatment for vertebral fractures — vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Vertebral fractures caused by trauma, such as a car accident, may require additional procedures to stabilize the spine.
Back bracing and cervical collars support and stabilize the torso or neck while limiting motion for the spine, muscles and ligaments. Cervical collars are used to stabilize spinal fractures or after surgery, as you are recovering.
Some back braces can be made from breathable elastic or neoprene material that wraps around your torso for targeted support. An adjustable fabric fastener lets you customize the fit for optimal comfort and compression. Other braces, particularly those used for fractures, are rigid and made of hard plastic or metal. These braces minimize spine movement to allow bones to heal. A rigid brace can reduce the risk of nerve damage.
Hard collars are usually made from plexiglass or plastic. They restrict head rotation and side-to-side movement more than softer collars. They often have a chin support to allow the muscles in your neck to relax.
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in effectively managing chronic back pain. At UK HealthCare, physical therapy is an integral part of many spine treatment plans. Our spine specialists work with therapy experts who specialize in musculoskeletal care. Together, they create a plan tailored for your unique needs.
A physical therapist can:
- Create a personalized exercise plan to enhance your flexibility and range of motion
- Strengthen your core muscles to maintain proper alignment
- Improve your posture
- Educate you on correct movement techniques and modifications to use during pain episodes, helping you to engage in your favorite activities while reducing the likelihood of recurring back pain
Osteoporosis can cause fractures in your spine, including compression fractures. To prevent future breaks, your doctor may recommend medicine to make your bones stronger – either as a pill or through an IV.
You may find relief by limiting movement temporarily or avoiding certain activities, depending on which part of the spine is affected. Rest can be particularly helpful in reducing swelling and inflammation if the condition is caused by an injury. Your care team will work with you and provide guidance on which activities you may need to limit.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are both minimally invasive surgeries used to treat compression fractures.
Vertebroplasty
During vertebroplasty, doctors repair broken or cracked vertebrae to relieve pain caused by a compression fracture.
Before surgery, you will get either sedation to help you relax or general anesthesia to help you sleep. Most people get sedation, but patients getting treatment for multiple compressions or more in-depth procedures may receive general anesthesia.
You will lie face down and get shots to numb the area before the procedure. After you’re numb, the medical team will use X-rays or CT scans to guide the needle to the site of the compression fracture in the spine. Cement, which hardens in about 20 minutes, is injected into the bone to provide stability.
Vertebroplasty is typically a same-day procedure, which means you can go home when the anesthesia wears off. You can use ice packs to relieve injection site pain.
Vertebroplasty has mixed results, but some studies show that it often provides compression fracture pain relief for a year or more.
Kyphoplasty
During this minimally invasive, outpatient procedure, your surgical team will use a balloon and surgical cement to strengthen a compression fracture in your spine.
Before kyphoplasty, you will receive either moderate sedation to help you relax and feel less pain, or you will receive general anesthesia so that you can sleep during the procedure.
You will lie face down, and your doctor will use a type of X-ray imaging called fluoroscopy to guide a hollow needle through the skin and into your affected vertebra. A balloon-like device passed through the needle will inflate in the compressed vertebra. This allows the vertebra to expand back to the correct position. Bone cement is injected to prevent the bones from collapsing again. The procedure takes less than an hour.
You will return home after the anesthesia wears off.
After kyphoplasty, most patients experience pain relief and improved movement within 48 hours. You should limit strenuous activities for a few weeks, but you can typically resume your daily routine once the anesthesia wears off.