A spine fracture is a break in one of the bones in your spine, also known as vertebrae.
The body of the vertebra, which bears the weight, can break. It has smaller bones that branch off to form a protective ring around the spinal cord and these bones also can break.
Overview
Personalized, Precise Care for a Spinal Fracture
The Stanford Medicine Spine Center delivers accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a spinal fracture, a break in one of the bones (vertebrae) in your spine.
We help relieve the symptoms of a spinal fracture, which may include pain in the back or neck made worse by movement. In some cases, when the spinal cord or a nerve root is damaged, symptoms also may include numbness, tingling, and weakness. In addition, bowel or bladder problems can develop.
For some people, symptoms are relieved and the fracture heals with rest and monitoring. In other cases, special exercises and physical therapy are helpful. Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications. In more serious cases, the best treatment may be surgery.
For each patient, our goal is to deliver personalized care and the most effective, least invasive treatment possible.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Spinal Fracture
Common symptoms of a spinal fracture include the following:
- Pain in your back or neck made worse by movement
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
- Bladder or bowel problems
A common myth about spinal fractures is that they are caused only by injuries. In fact, a simple, everyday activity, such as carrying a heavy bag, can cause a fracture.
If you feel back or neck pain, or another symptom, talk with your doctor. The sooner it is diagnosed, the sooner you can start an effective treatment and get on the path to healing.
Causes
Causes of a Spinal Fracture
You may be more prone to a spinal fracture if you have one or more of the following conditions that can weaken bone:
- Osteoporosis
- Menopause
- Tumors
- Hyperthyroidism: an overactive thyroid
Long-term use of corticosteroids may increase your risk as well. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and specific other treatments for cancer also can increase certain people’s risk of a spinal fracture.
In a large number of cases, a spinal fracture is the result of trauma, such as a:
- Fall
- Sports injury
- Car accident
- Violent act
Males experience these types of injuries four times more often than females do.
Types
Causes of a Spinal Fracture
You may be more prone to a spinal fracture if you have one or more of the following conditions that can weaken bone:
- Osteoporosis
- Menopause
- Tumors
- Hyperthyroidism: an overactive thyroid
Long-term use of corticosteroids may increase your risk as well. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and specific other treatments for cancer also can increase certain people’s risk of a spinal fracture.
In a large number of cases, a spinal fracture is the result of trauma, such as a:
- Fall
- Sports injury
- Car accident
- Violent act
Males experience these types of injuries four times more often than females do.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of a Spinal Fracture
Early detection of a spinal fracture is important so you can receive prompt treatment, relieve your symptoms, and prevent your condition from getting worse.
Your doctor will talk with you about your medical history. Questions may cover your physical activities plus any injuries you have had.
The doctor will perform a physical examination and test sensitivity along your spine.
To help confirm a diagnosis of a spinal fracture or understand in more detail how serious it is, your doctor also may order imaging tests, such as:
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Bone scan
- Bone density screening: This can help detect any abnormal activity in bones, including fractures. It can also tell whether your body is working to heal the break. One form of screening is called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (also known as DEXA or DXA).
Risk Factors
Risk Factors for Spinal Fractures
Risk factors for spinal fractures include:
Aging
As we get older, our bodies, including our bones, naturally lose strength.
Osteoporosis
This disease makes bones thin and brittle.
Early Menopause
Many women develop osteoporosis after menopause. Those with premature menopause are at greater risk of severe bone loss.
Other risk factors for spinal fractures include:
- Alcohol use: This makes it harder for your body to absorb calcium normally.
- Tobacco use: Smoking also affects your body’s ability to absorb calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones.
- Bilateral ovariectomy: This is the surgical removal of both ovaries.
- Certain medications: Use of certain diabetes drugs, oral steroids, and anti-depressants may be risk factors.
- Frailty
- Impaired eyesight: This can increase a person’s risk of falling.
- Insufficient physical activity.
- Low body weight
- Deficiency of dietary calcium and/or vitamin D.
- Having a previous spinal fracture: This increases your risk of having another fracture.