Your spine is made up of bones that protect your spinal cord, support your body and let you move. A fracture happens when one or more of these bones crack, break or collapse.
At Banner Health, our spine specialists take a personal approach, weighing your symptoms, lifestyle and goals. We offer advanced care, ranging from nonsurgical treatment to complex spine surgery when needed.
Your spine has 33 small bones called vertebrae. Together, they support your head and body and protect your spinal cord.
A spinal fracture happens when one of these bones cracks, breaks or collapses. A fracture can occur anywhere along the spine, including the:
Depending on the injury, a fracture may affect:
Doctors categorize spinal fractures by location and stability. The two categories for a spine fracture are stable and unstable.
A stable fracture means the spine can still hold its normal alignment. These fractures often heal without surgery, although they still need careful evaluation and follow-up.
An unstable fracture affects the spine’s ability to support and protect the spinal cord. The bones may shift out of place. Supporting ligaments may also be injured. These fractures often need urgent treatment and sometimes surgery to stabilize the spine.
Spinal fractures have many causes. The most common causes are injuries and weakened bones.
A strong impact can force a vertebra to break and may also damage the spinal cord or nearby nerves.
Common causes include:
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to become thin and weak. When bones lose strength, the vertebrae can fracture more easily.
A spinal fracture caused by osteoporosis is called a compression fracture. These fractures are common in older adults, especially women after menopause. They may happen after a small fall or even during normal activities, like lifting or twisting.
Some health conditions can weaken the bones of the spine and raise fracture risk. These include:
There are several types of spinal fractures. The type depends on how the injury happened, which part of the spine is affected and how stable the fracture is.
Compression fractures happen when the front part of the vertebra collapses. They’re the most common type of spinal fracture.
Many compression fractures improve with nonsurgical care. Some may need procedures to stabilize the spine.
A burst fracture happens when a vertebra breaks in multiple places and collapses in all directions. Pieces of bone may move into the spinal canal and put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Burst fractures usually come from high-impact injuries, such as a serious car accident or a fall from a height. Treatment depends on the fracture’s severity and whether nerves or the spinal cord are affected.
Flexion-distraction fractures, sometimes called Chance fractures, happen when the spine is pulled apart. They’re often caused by sudden forward bending during a car accident. These fractures may affect the bones, ligaments and soft tissues that support the spine.
A fracture-dislocation happens when a vertebra breaks and moves out of its normal position. These injuries are often severe and may cause spinal instability or nerve damage. This type of injury usually needs urgent medical care and may need surgery.
Symptoms vary by the type of fracture, where it occurs in the spine and whether the spinal cord or nerves are injured.
Common symptoms include:
If the spinal cord or nerves are affected, symptoms may also include:
These symptoms need immediate medical attention. They may signal a nerve or spinal cord injury.
Yes. Some compression fractures cause only mild symptoms or none at all, especially when osteoporosis is the cause. Some people don’t find out until imaging is done for chronic back pain or another medical issue.
Instead of severe pain, you may notice:
Your health care provider reviews your symptoms, medical history and how the injury happened. They also do a physical exam to check movement, strength and nerve function.
Imaging tests help doctors see the bones and find the location and severity of the fracture. These tests may include:
Learn more about spine testing and diagnosis.
Treatment for a spinal fracture depends on several factors, including:
Many spinal fractures heal without surgery. Others need procedures to stabilize the spine and protect the spinal cord.
Stable fractures (and many compression fractures) can often be treated without surgery.
Some spinal fractures need surgery. Surgery may be recommended when:
Surgical options include:
Learn more about spine surgery types and treatments.
Recovery time depends on the fracture’s severity, your overall health and the treatment used. Some stable fractures heal within a few months with activity changes and physical therapy. More serious injuries, especially those involving surgery, take longer to heal.
Many spinal fractures heal successfully, especially when caught early and treated right away. Some people recover with little or no lasting limitations. Others may have ongoing pain, stiffness or posture changes, particularly after severe or multiple compression fractures.
Your provider will work with you to relieve pain, restore mobility and help you return to the activities that matter to you.
Not every spinal fracture can be prevented. But you can take steps to protect your spine and lower your risk.
Some spinal fractures need emergency care right away. Others should be checked by a spine specialist as soon as possible.
Schedule an appointment if you have:
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
A spinal fracture can affect more than your bones. It can also affect your mobility, independence and quality of life. At Banner Health, our spine specialists work together to diagnose your injury, relieve pain and help you recover safely
Whether your fracture was caused by an accident, osteoporosis or another condition, we'll build a personalized treatment plan based on your needs. Our goal is to help you heal while protecting your spinal cord and preserving your mobility whenever possible
Learn about Banner Health Neurosciences.
A spinal fracture is a break or collapse in one of the bones of the spine. It may happen after a major injury or because a condition such as osteoporosis has weakened the bone.
A compression fracture is one type of spinal fracture. It happens when part of a vertebra collapses, often because osteoporosis has weakened the bone.
Some people with stable spinal fractures can walk, while others cannot because of pain or a more serious injury. Don’t use your ability to walk to decide if a suspected fracture is serious.
Yes. Many stable spinal fractures can heal without surgery. Treatment may include pain management, activity changes, bracing and rehabilitation. Unstable fractures or those affecting nerves may need surgery.
A fracture may be more serious if it follows major trauma, makes the spine unstable or affects the spinal cord or nerves. New weakness, numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control needs emergency care.
Yes. Osteoporosis can weaken the vertebrae enough that they fracture or collapse after a minor injury or everyday movement.
Sign in to Patient Account
