Things To Know About Spinal Compression Fractures

A spinal compression fracture is most common in women who cross the age of 50. It is mainly caused due to weakness of bones in the spine area. Usually, a person suffering from this fracture complains of back pain. Back pain becomes intense during a certain time of the day. A leading spinal neurosurgeon in Chennai explains in detail about the symptoms and signs of spinal compression fractures.

What are Spinal Compression Fractures?

This is a specific condition where a bone in the spine or vertebra collapses. You would suffer from spinal compression fractures when any of the bones in the spine get weakened or crumble. There may be tiny cracks in the spine due to spinal compression fractures. It is mainly due to trauma when the vertebrate is healthy. The condition is also due to osteoporosis which is nothing but loss of bone density that occurs mostly due to ageing. It also occurs due to a sudden fall or when lifting a heavy object.

Symptoms of Spinal Compression Fractures

There are several symptoms that one can experience due to spinal compression fracture. Usually, people suffer from intense back pain when the bone in the spine gets damaged suddenly. Spinal compression fracture also occurs gradually, and the pain is also gradual. The following are some of the common symptoms of spinal compression fractures.

Back Pain: This is the common symptom of spinal compression fracture. For a sudden spinal compression fracture, the pain may be intense. You may experience back pain when performing the following daily activities.

• When lifting a bag or any other object

• When they try to bend to the floor to pick something

• When lifting heavy objects like a suitcase

• When tugging the corners of a mattress.

Pain in Arms and Legs: They experience pain in the arms and legs as the pressure moves on to the other parts of the body. They find it difficult to stand or walk for a long time. They may also suffer from numbness in both legs and arms.

Loss of Height: Spinal compression fractures can result in loss of height as it causes a curved stoop shape in the spine.

Signs of Spinal Compression Fractures

The symptoms of spinal compression fracture vary from one person to another. The condition gets healed on its own in less than three months. Some people never experience any symptoms of this spine injury as the cracks occur gradually. Sometimes the pain is very mild. Thus the following signs can help you identify that you're suffering from spinal compression fractures.

Height Loss: This is the most common sign as the fracture of spine bone makes you look short.

Curved Back: This is a condition called curved back. The spine bends forward as the vertebrate collapses.

Stomach Problems. : You may experience constipation, digestive problems and even weight loss.

Breathing problems: You may also experience breathing difficulty as the spine gets compressed.

The above are the signs and symptoms of spinal compression fractures.

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