Compression fractures of the back

Vertebral compression fractures

• Back pain with sudden or chronic onset
• Shortened height
• Kyphosis (hunchback)

Physical examination may show kyphosis. There is also tenderness over the injured vertebrae.

A spine x-ray shows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebrae.

If there is no history of significant trauma, a bone density test needs to be done to evaluate for osteoporosis.

If there is concern that the fracture was caused by a tumor eating away at and weakening the bone, a CT or MRI scan is necessary to get a better look at the bone. Also, if the fracture was caused by high-energy trauma (fall from a height, car accident, etc.) then a CT scan is needed to see if there are bone fragments pressing on the spinal cord.