How long does it take for compression fracture to heal

Recovering from a spinal fracture

A spinal fracture is when a bone in your spine becomes compressed or squashed after losing strength. It's not the same as a broken back, so be reassured it doesn't lead to a risk of being paralysed.

A spinal fracture takes between six and 12 weeks to heal.

During the healing process, spinal bones don't return to their normal shape. They heal in their new compressed shape. This can lead to height loss and curvature of the spine.

Treatments to help with healing

If you break a bone in your spine, you don’t usually need an operation.

It's recommended you aim to stay as active as possible. This can reduce the risk of chest infections, constipation, blood clots and other side effects. It also helps you maintain your muscle strength and reduce your chances of ongoing pain after your bone has healed.

Movement does not affect the healing process. But we understand that spinal fractures can make staying mobile a challenge. If your pain is severe in the early stages, rest for a while. When you're ready, try taking a pain-relieving medication to help you stay active.

Sometimes, a spinal fracture continues to cause severe pain. If this happens to you and pain relieving medications aren't helping, your doctor may consider a medical procedure, to help relieve the pain.

Possible long-term complications

Ongoing pain

In some cases, you can expect to recover well from a spinal fracture. Occasionally, the pain doesn’t go away completely.

You can expect your broken bone to heal within about three months. If you have pain beyond this period, it’s referred to as chronic pain.

Ongoing pain after a spinal fracture has healed is caused by the change of shape to your spine. This change of shape can cause different types of pain.

If you're in pain, be reassured there are things you can do to help manage your pain, and continue living the lifestyle you enjoy as far as possible.

Nerve pain

If a spinal fracture pinches or irritates a nerve as it heals, pain can continue after healing.

Pain can also continue if nerves become overly sensitive. In this case, they continue to 'fire off' pain signals after the bone has healed.

Muscle spasms

A change in the shape of your spine can stretch or shorten your back muscles. You may experience a spasm when lifting an object or when pushing, pulling, bending or twisting, such as when using a vacuum cleaner.

Joint and ligament pain

A change in the shape of your spine puts strain on the joints and ligaments between your spinal bones.

Arthritis

If you have arthritis in your back, it can be aggravated by the change in the shape of your spine.

Height loss and curvature of the spine

If you break multiple bones in your spine, you lose height, and may notice an outward curve at the top of your spine. This is caused by the broken bones in your spine healing in a squashed or compressed shape.

This can cause shortness of breath and your stomach may feel squashed and bloated, making everyday movements more uncomfortable.

If you're experiencing these symptoms, there are things you can do to make daily living easier for you. You can find out more in our daily living after fractures factsheet.

Are you newly diagnosed with a spinal fracture?

When you are diagnosed with spinal fractures, you may typically have many questions about what this means for you and these questions often cannot be answered in a short medical appointment. We've created a series of new videos to help answer some of the common questions.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with spinal fractures, have been living with them for some time, or know someone else who has – these videos are for you.

How long does it take for compression fracture to heal

Vertebral compression fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis (loss of bone mass) and can be a significant health issue leading to a lot of pain, disability and potentially serious complications. A fall, cough, or lifting of a heavy object may cause a fracture of the back bones. This can lead to sudden onset of severe back pain, lost of height, and a hunched-forward posture.These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), and lumbar spine (the lower portion).

Most compression fractures heal in 8 to 10 weeks. However, the time necessary to start feeling better can be quite challenging since pain usually worsens with any movement and sometimes even with deep breath or cough. This can lead to difficulty to perform even basic activities and desire to avoid moving around, breathing deelpy or coughing to clear your throat. All of it can lead to respiratory and other complications which are best to be avoided. If recovery takes too long or you can't tolerate pain with the fracture there is a treatment that can help.

At Advanced Pain Management Center Dr. Vladimir Fiks offers minimally invasive treatment, kyphoplasty which can be very effective in shortening the time needed for recovery following the fracture, reducing the risk associated with immobility and the burden on your life and comfort.

PAIN OF COMPRESSION FRACTURE

Compression fracture can present with very intense back pain which is thought to be caused by instability or motion of bone fragments at the fracture site. This pain if fracture is allowed to heal naturally can diminish in a few weeks but it can also last as long as 2-3 month and sometimes longer.

Traditionally, people with severe pain are treated with rest and/or activity modification, pain medications and braces. Your doctor will likely recommend additional medications to try to prevent subsequent fractures. Bone-strengthening drugs are usually prescribed to help to avoid or diminish bone loss (osteoporosis). However, it is important to avoid extended inactivity and if you are unable to care for yourself and each motion causes unbearable pain poorly relieved with medications you should seek advice of the specialist. You may be a candidate for treatment of the fracture through the outpatient procedure which is available at Advanced Pain Management Center.

KYPHOPLASTY

This is a minimally invasive way to treat a compression fracture which is indicated in cases of delayed healing or when the natural recovery process is poorly tolerated for whatever reason.

The way to use cement injected through the needle to stabilize fracture fragments and therefore eliminate or significantly diminish pain has been used in United States since early 1990s. Over time this procedure has been modified and improved and it currently stands as the very important and effective option for a treatment of compression fractures.

This is outpatient procedure which is usually done without a need for general anesthesia. Typically, local injection of numbing medication and some intravenous sedation is enough to keep you comfortable. Under X-ray guidance a small needle is inserted into the fracture and then a ballon is introduced through the needle. It is used to increase the height of collapsed bone and guide the cement into the space created. This cement hardens fast, it takes only minutes stabilizing the fractured vertebra. Pain relief can occur fast as well and commonly patients walk out of the recovery room feeling dramatic difference in how they fill. The recovery from the procedure itself is short, hours to just a few days and does not require special restrictions.

If you have been suffering from intractable pain related to vertebral compression fracture for more than 2 weeks and are looking for help we invite you to call our office for evaluation and discussion of appropriate treatment. We will identify options available to you and if necessary refer to other specialists as needed. This treatment is considered to be fairly routine and is covered by most insurance plans. I would recommend you consider this early as the chance of successful outcome diminishes with time.  

How long does it take for compression fracture to heal
Vladimir Fiks, MD Medical Director Advanced Pain Management Center and Cedar Hills Surgery Center

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Can a spinal compression fracture heal on its own?

There's a good chance you won't need surgery. Most people can get by without it. Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.

What is the best treatment for compression fracture?

Treatment of compression fractures may include medicine, rest, a back brace, or physical therapy. Sometimes, surgery is needed. The risk of new fractures can be reduced by doing regular weight-bearing exercises that increase strength, and balance exercises that reduce the risk for falls.

Can a compression fracture get worse?

While they typically occur individually, patients who suffer one compression fracture have a greatly increased chance of suffering another. Multiple untreated compression fractures can eventually lead to severe symptoms and reduced mobility.

What are the long term effects of a compression fracture?

These fractures may lead to neurologic injury, chronic back pain, and disability. Most studies from United States trauma centers focus on neurologic sequelae and/or compare treatment modalities. However, most patients with spine fractures do not have a neurologic deficit.