How long does it take to heal a spine fracture?

Vertebral fractures usually take about three months to fully heal. X-rays will probably be taken monthly to check on the healing progress.

Can you recover from a spinal fracture?

Broken bones in the spine are also known as vertebral fractures or compression fractures. If you have a broken bone in the spine, it will take several weeks or more to heal. You probably won’t need surgery, but you will need to exercise and get rest.

How serious are spinal fractures?

Spinal fractures can vary widely in severity. Some fractures are very serious injuries that result from high-energy trauma and require emergency treatment. Other fractures can be the result of a lower-impact event, such as a minor fall, in an older person whose bones are weakened by osteoporosis.

What does a back fracture feel like?

Pain that gets worse when you stand or walk but with some relief when you lie down. Trouble bending or twisting your body. Loss of height. A curved, stooped shape to your spine.

Can I sleep on my side with a fractured spine?

Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will decrease pressure on your back. You may also sleep on your side with 1 or both of your knees bent and a pillow between them. It may also be helpful to sleep on your stomach with a pillow under you at waist level.

What does a stress fracture in your spine feel like?

If there are clinical signs, these may be seen as lower back pain, buttock pain, tightness in lower back muscles, and rarely numbness, pain (sciatic pain), and weakness in the feet. The pain often increases while standing, walking, or other activities, and decreases with rest.

What does a spinal fracture feel like?

For many people, a spinal compression fracture will hurt less as the bone heals. Some people feel almost no symptoms from spinal compression fractures. The cracks may happen so gradually that the pain is relatively mild or unnoticeable. For others, the pain may turn into a chronic backache in the injured area.

What causes a spinal fracture?

Spinal Fracture Causes. Any serious trauma can be the cause of a spinal fracture. Bone weakness from osteoporosis or degeneration of supporting discs, which compromises spinal integrity, may cause a fracture. A compression fracture may also result from a hard sneeze or a fit of coughing if the spine is already weak from a previous injury or existing condition.

What are the effects of spinal compression fractures?

Compression Fracture Definition. The fracture can affect more than one vertebra and multiple compression fractures can lead to shortened height and kyphosis, a forward curvature of the spine resembling a hump and referred to as dowagers hump. Compression fractures are most common in elderly adults, especially women.

How to treat spinal compression fractures without surgery?

Healing Spinal Fractures Without Surgery . A good physical therapy program started six to eight weeks after the fracture is often enough to treat the injury and prevent further problems. Therapies such as ice, electrical stimulation, rest or gentle stretching can relieve pain and inflammation.