Why Your Back Pain May be From Vertebral Compression Fractures

When doing research for your back pain, you may be seeing the phrase vertebral compression fracture showing up often. For those of us who aren’t very familiar with spinal health, this phrase can come off as some sort of confusing medical jargon. That’s because a vertebral compression fracture is usually a cause for many types of back pain. Let’s break down what this phrase actually means, how it occurs, and how it’s connected to your back pain.

The Basics: Your Spine

The curve and flexibility of your back is largely determined by your spine. Your spine is made up of tiny, round, strong bones called vertebrae. A vertebral compression fracture is when one of these bones experience a break in some part of their structure. Usually, this break happens in the middle (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) areas of your spine. As a result, your spine usually becomes more sensitive, stiff, and less flexible, putting stress on your nerves and causing back pain. Depending on how intense the break is, the back pain resulting could be mild enough to sleep off, or severe enough to go see a doctor.

What Causes Vertebral Compression Fractures?

There are several external factors that can cause a break in your vertebrae, and the list only gets longer as you get older. There are, of course, the typical injuries you might receive from a fall, playing sports, or a car accident. Spine diseases such as infections or cancer can also weaken the bones, causing back pain inducing fractures. People who have been diagnosed with osteoporosis need to be extra careful, as that is a condition that makes bones more brittle than usual.

Do You Have a Vertebral Compression Fracture?

Lingering or severe back pain is one of the most telling signals of a vertebral compression fracture. More so when the back pain is intensified just by standing up or walking, or when you experience odd muscle spasms (almost like a twitch) in your back. Other signals of vertebral compression fracture is feeling as if your legs or arms are suddenly much weaker than they used to be, or having issues with urinating or bowel movements.

If you are experiencing lingering or severe back pain in New Jersey, and find that simple rest isn’t helping, it may be time to see a pain specialist about your condition. At Garden State Pain, we make use of modern techniques to identify the source of your pain, so you can find the relief that you deserve. Contact us today.