Wedge Fracture

A wedge fracture is a type of compression fracture where the vertebra collapses in one area of the vertebra causing the bone to look like a wedge.  The wedge type of fracture is serious if there is a 50 percent wedging, causing a forward spinal curve, or there is neurological involvement.

There are other types of fractures, but usually they occurred from impact injury and therefore wouldn't fall into the silent or fragility fracture category.

To combat this problem of undiagnosed fractures get a VFA with your DXA; if your DXA doesn't have the VFA technology, then ask your Doctor to order spinal X-rays with your DXA.  If we routinely screen for fractures, use VFA's or X-rays, maybe we could lower the two-thirds percentage of spinal fractures that go undiagnosed. 

If these fractures cause a forward spinal curve, height loss or impaired daily living, it's important to have them treated.  Identifying and treating these fractures greatly increases the patients' ability to complete normal daily living tasks, plus it improves the patients' quality of life.

Next time we'll discuss the options of repair for these types of fractures, and how important it is to seek help early.