- info@irosm.com
- 3333 West Commercial Blvd , Ste 101 Fort Lauderdale , Fl, 33309
(954) 751 6990
(954) 751 6990
A spine fracture, most often a compression fracture, happens when one of the bones of the spine (a vertebra) cracks and partly collapses. It can cause sudden back pain, pain when standing or walking, and loss of height. In older adults with thin bones, it can happen after something as simple as a cough, a sneeze or lifting a bag.
At the Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM), Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale treats spinal compression fractures with a back brace, pain control and, when it fits, kyphoplasty (a procedure that places bone cement in the broken bone).
Book Your Appointment Now: (954) 751-6990 Make an Inquiry Online
Each vertebra has a thick front part called the vertebral body, which carries most of your weight. In a compression fracture, the front of the vertebral body crushes down and becomes wedge-shaped, while the back of the bone usually stays intact. A fracture that breaks the bone into pieces and pushes into the spinal canal is called a burst fracture, and it is usually more serious.
Is a fracture the same as a break? Yes. Doctors use the word fracture for any broken bone, from a small crack to a complete break.
The most common cause. Osteoporosis means the bones have become thin and weak, so they can break during everyday activities. Some people do not notice the first fracture.
A fall from height, a car accident or a sports injury can fracture healthy bone. These fractures need prompt imaging to check that the spine is stable.
Less often, a fracture happens where bone has been weakened by another condition, such as a tumor, infection or long-term steroid use.
Compression fractures happen most often where the upper back (thoracic spine) meets the lower back (lumbar spine), at the T11, T12, L1 and L2 levels. This area is where the stiffer upper back joins the more mobile lower back, so it takes more stress when you bend and lift.
Fractures higher in the upper back (thoracic spine fractures) can add to a rounded, stooped posture over time. Learn more about thoracic back pain.
Go to the emergency room right away if back pain comes with new leg weakness, numbness in the groin or legs, or trouble controlling your bladder or bowels.
Dr. Erdman starts with your history and an exam, then reviews imaging. X-rays show whether a vertebra has lost height. An MRI shows whether the fracture is new or old and whether nerves are affected, which matters when deciding on treatment. A CT scan shows the bone in more detail. A bone density scan (DEXA) checks for osteoporosis.
On an X-ray, doctors often grade a compression fracture by how much height the bone has lost. Mild means about 20 to 25 percent, moderate about 25 to 40 percent, and severe more than 40 percent.
Many compression fractures are treated without surgery. Options at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale may include:
A back brace can support the spine and ease pain while it heals. For a T12 or L1 fracture, this is often a thoracic or lumbar brace (for the middle or lower back). You also get safe limits for walking and lifting.
Medicine and targeted treatments to keep you moving, since staying in bed for long periods has its own risks.
For a painful fracture that is not improving, a minimally invasive procedure that places bone cement in the vertebra. See kyphoplasty in Fort Lauderdale.
Checking and treating osteoporosis with your primary care doctor or specialist to lower the chance of another fracture.
Unstable fractures, burst fractures and fractures that press on nerves may need spine surgery. If that is the case, Dr. Erdman will explain why and help with a referral. Read more in when spine fracture surgery is necessary.
Some people have ongoing back pain after a fracture heals, from posture changes, tight muscles or arthritis in nearby joints. Dr. Erdman also evaluates low back pain and back pain with muscle spasms at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale.
Providing spinal compression fracture evaluation and treatment to residents in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Tamarac, Lauderdale Lakes, Plantation, Pompano Beach, and Broward County. For our Hialeah office, se habla español.
Institute of Regenerative Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (IROSM)
3333 West Commercial Blvd, Suite 101
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: (954) 751-6990
Board-certified · Fellowship-trained in interventional spine and pain · Fort Lauderdale & Hialeah
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Erdman at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale to review your imaging and find the right treatment for your spinal compression fracture.
Book Your Appointment Now: (954) 751-6990 Make an Inquiry Online
Disclaimer: This content is for general educational purposes and does not constitute formal medical advice. Individual patient outcomes will vary. Spine fracture treatment at IROSM in Fort Lauderdale requires a clinical examination by Dr. Michael Erdman to establish candidacy. Serving Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Plantation, and surrounding Broward County communities.
