The bones in your spine are called vertebrae. In a compression fracture of the spine, the bone tissue of the vertebral body collapses. This condition is commonly caused by osteoporosis and less often by tumor or trauma to the back.
Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis often occur while doing something that causes relatively minor strain to the spine, such as opening a window, bumping into something, or twisting while lifting. Advanced cases of osteoporosis can even lead to a vertebral fracture from routine activities that would normally not cause any distress, such as sneezing, coughing or turning over in bed.
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are usually followed by sharp back pain, and may lead to chronic pain, kyphosis (commonly referred to as a dowager's hump), loss of height, crowding of internal organs, and deterioration of muscle and aerobic conditioning due to lack of activity and exercise. This progressive decline in health is often called the "downward spiral." It is not uncommon for someone with back pain to be unaware of the fact that she or he has actually fractured a vertebra. Since one fracture can lead to another, it is important that VCFs be diagnosed and treated early.
The main clinical symptoms of vertebral fractures typically include one or a combination of the following symptoms:
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