How do you rehab a compression fracture?
How is a compression fracture treated?
- Pain medicine to relieve your back pain.
- Bed rest for a short time, followed by limited activity while your bones heal.
- Wearing a back brace.
- Physical therapy to help you move better and strengthen the muscles around your spine.
Can an old compression fracture be fixed?
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.
How do you grade a compression fracture?
Osteoporotic spine fractures can be graded based on vertebral height loss, as:
- mild: 20-25%
- moderate: 25-40%
- or severe: > 40%
What exercises can you do with a fractured vertebrae?
As your spine heals, the physical therapist may have you do weight-bearing activities (such as walking or tennis) and/or weightlifting. These strengthen your bones.
Is a heating pad good for a compression fracture?
Heat and ice: Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain. Apply heat on your back for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 hours for as many days as directed. Heat helps decrease pain and muscle spasms.
What exercises can I do with fractured vertebrae?
When should I start exercises for fractured vertebrae?
These exercises may help to relieve pain any time after fractures occur, so start to introduce them as soon as you feel ready. You don’t need to wait until your bones are fully healed. However, if you are having difficulty with them, ask your doctor if you could be referred to a physiotherapist for advice.
When should I start physical therapy after compression fracture?
Physical therapy begins as soon as possible after the compression fracture is stable (as determined by a physician). Physical therapists help people with spinal compression fractures: Reduce their back pain. Improve their flexibility and strength.
Can I sleep on my side with a compression fracture?
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 causes compression fracture in spine?
Typically caused by osteoporosis, a compression fracture of the spine occurs when a vertebra collapses due to weakening or trauma. Compression fractures can occur at any point in the spine, but are more typically seen in the lower section of the upper back, otherwise known as the thoracic spine.
When do you need treatment for a compression fracture?
In some serious traumatic fractures, called “burst fractures,” the compression occurs around the spinal cord and nerves. This is more serious and may require immediate treatment to prevent or relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. 3
Where do compression fractures occur in the body?
When a bone in the spine collapses, it is called a vertebral compression fracture. These fractures happen most commonly in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), particularly in the lower vertebrae of the thoracic spine. The purpose of this document is to help you understand:
What happens to the cancellous bone in a compression fracture?
The fracture occurs when the bone actually collapses and the front (anterior) part of the vertebral body forms a wedge shape. The cancellous bone on the inside of the vertebral body is crushed, or compressed.