What is a wedge compression fracture?

There are three types of compression fractures: Wedge fracture — This fracture usually occurs in the front of the vertebra, collapsing the bone in the front of the spine and leaving the back of the same bone unchanged, which results in the vertebra taking on a wedge shape.

What are the 3 types of compression fractures?

There are three types of compression fractures: wedge, crush, and burst.

What type of fracture is a compression fracture?

A compression fracture is a type of fracture or break in your vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine). Osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures. Other causes include injuries to the spine and tumors.

Is a wedge fracture serious?

Wedge fractures are considered serious when the fracture affects adjacent vertebrae, anterior wedging is 50%, severe hyperkyphosis (bent forward) is present, or bone fragment(s) are suspect in the spinal canal. In the latter, symptoms and sign of myelopathy (spinal cord dysfunction) may be present.

How do you treat a wedge compression fracture?

The majority of mild to moderate compression fractures are treated with immobilization in a brace or corset for a period of six to twelve weeks. The duration of treatment is based on symptoms and x-rays.

What causes a wedge compression fracture?

Providers also call them vertebral compression fractures (VCF). They often result from osteoporosis. But they can also happen after trauma (such as a car crash) or as a result of tumors on the spine. Providers treat compression fractures with medications and a special type of back brace.

Can a wedge fracture heal?

Most patients can expect to make a full recovery from their compression fracture. Typically, braces are worn for six to twelve weeks followed by three to six weeks of physical therapy (PT) and exercise. Some patients may benefit by use of a bone growth stimulator.

What causes wedge fracture in spine?

When an external force is applied to the spine, such as from a fall or carrying of a sudden heavy weight, the forces may exceed the ability of the bone within the vertebral body to support the load. This may cause the front part of the vertebral body to crush forming a wedge shape.

What is the treatment for a wedge fracture?

Can wedge fracture get worse?

In most patients with osteoporotic compression fractures, there is no neurologic injury but only pain from the fracture. However, if left untreated the fracture angulation may worsen and lead to late paralogic injury.

Is a wedge fracture painful?

Severe Pain A severe compression fracture may be such that the spinal cord or nerve roots are involved, as they are draped over the sudden angulation of the spine. This may cause severe pain, a hunched forward deformity (kyphosis) and rarely neurologic deficit from spinal cord compression.

Can a wedge fracture be fixed?

These painful, wedge-shaped fractures can be caused by osteoporosis and injury. Left untreated, they can lead to a humped spine (kyphosis). By restoring the vertebra height with a balloon and injecting cement into the fractured bone, patients can recover faster and reduce the risk of future fractures.

Is wedge compression the same as compression?

The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebral body collapses but the back does not, meaning that the bone assumes a wedge shape. Sometimes, more than one vertebra fractures, a condition called multiple compression fractures.

Is a burst fracture the same as a compression fracture?

Burst fractures are a type of compression fracture related to high-energy axial loading spinal trauma that results in disruption of the posterior vertebral body cortex with retropulsion into the spinal canal. Regarding this, how long does it take for a burst fracture to heal?

What is treatment for compression fracture?

What is treatment for compression fracture? For the most part, nonoperative treatments are recommended for compression fracture. These treatments include pain medications and modified physical activity. The doctor may recommend wearing a brace that helps support the back and prevents bending forward, and therefore removes pressure from the

What you should know about spinal compression fractures?

Loss of height

When your severe back pain is a compression fracture?

Sudden back pain, a gradual loss of height, and a hunched posture could be signs of compression fractures. Compression fractures may cause minor pain and heal on their own. However, they can also cause a lot of pain and require treatment.