Managing Your Lower Back Pain at Your Desk Job
Long hours at the office can take a toll on your back, but relief is within reach. Learn easy-to-implement tips on posture, stretching, and hydration to help keep your back healthy while you work.
Vertebral Compression Fracture And Osteoporosis: What You Need To Know
When it comes to the roots of chronic pain, several causes are often misdiagnosed or overlooked until they become a severe and visible problem, such as Vertebral Compression Fractures. These issues can lead to generalized pain.
- Back issues
- Old injuries that have resurfaced
- Failed surgeries
They can also be initially hard to identify as the source of a pain problem without the assistance of an interventional pain management specialist. Vertebral Compression Fracture is one of the conditions:
- Regularly missed
- Under-diagnosed
- Untreated
One of the Most Common Fractures
Linked to osteoporosis, which impacts 200 million women and causes roughly 700,000 spinal fractures in the United States annually, Vertebral Compression Fracture is one of the most common forms of osteoporotic fractures, and greatly enhances your risk of additional fractures in the future.
The problem is Practitioners often misdiagnose a Vertebral Compression Fracture and gets worse with time. Up to 2/3 of cases of spinal fractures are undiagnosed, and if left untreated, the fracture can cause irreparable damage.
So how do you know if you are at risk of having a Vertebral Compression Fracture? It starts with these signs.
Your Age and Gender
Women over 50 are most at risk for osteoporosis and related fractures, including Vertebral Compression Fracture.
In fact, roughly half of all women over the age of 50 in the United States will break a bone at some point in their life due to osteoporosis.
Though it should be noted, spinal fractures and osteoporosis can affect patients of both genders and all ages.
A Visible Hump
The most common sign of a Vertebral Compression Fracture is a visible hump on the back and a loss of height. Though this occurs well after the fracture originates, it‘s a clear sign that the bone has weakened, and the vertebral body has compressed and has become deformed as a result.
Additional Signs
In addition to the visible hump and your lifestyle factors, there are other key signs and symptoms to look for, including the following.
- Sudden onset of back pain
- Shrinking, or a noticeable loss of height
- Kyphosis
- Activity-related pain
- Pain relief when lying down
- Tenderness of back of the spine
Get Tested and Treated
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, ask your Practioner to test and treat you for a Vertebral Compression Fracture, as needed.
The good news is early diagnosis will do a world of good. Both surgical and non-surgical methods are available to:
- Reduce pain
- Improve functional status
- Treat your Vertebral Compression Fracture
Practitioners generally perform these procedures in a clinic setting. And patients can typically go home the same day.
Best of all, after treatment, you’ll notice a significant drop in pain as soon as you get home, which will allow you to get back to your normal, active, and healthy life!
Contact Us Today
Worried you may be at risk? Contact us today to get to the bottom of your chronic pain.
By scheduling your consultation with our experienced pain management team today, you can get to the root of your chronic pain before it causes a much larger and deeper issue.
Resources
FDA Disclaimer. This information on this site is for education purposes only. These statements and testimonials are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The statements made regarding some or all products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Please consult a physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and medical needs or concerns.
Summary
Article Name
Osteoporosis and Vertebral Compression Fracture: What You Need to Know
Description
Vertebral Compression Fractures are one of the most commonly misdiagnosed conditions when it comes to chronic pain. Read on to uncover the signs you need to look out, and what to do next.
You Might Also Enjoy...
How to Protect Your Knees as a Runner
Ready to hit the pavement? Make sure your knees are prepared too. Discover simple ways to avoid injury and run pain-free.
5 Common Causes of Chronic Shoulder Pain
Shoulder pain can become chronic, and when it does, even most basic activities are painful. Before persistent shoulder pain limits your daily functioning, have it checked out by an expert.
How to Manage Degenerative Disc Disease Without Major Surgery
Managing degenerative disc disease without major surgery is not only possible but also highly effective with the right approach. With minimally invasive treatment, you can get pain relief, improved mobility, and better quality of life.
What to Expect During Your Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
Spinal cord stimulation is designed to treat chronic pain, and when it’s successful, many patients report life-altering pain relief. A trial period tests the effectiveness of this therapy before patients commit to a permanent implant.
Does Frozen Shoulder Go Away on Its Own?
An inflammatory process triggers the development of frozen shoulder, which immobilizes the joint. Can your frozen shoulder regain movement without treatment? Find out here.