If you do have a compression fracture, you may still be able to go about your daily life with only slightly limited mobility. All staff was courteous and efficient. Your vertebrae are what allow you to do everything from stand upright, bend over, and lift objects, so any injury that occurs in your spine can affect your ability to move and cause significant pain. His bedside manner was incredible. nonoperative treatments are recommended for compression fracture. Although you probably won’t experience many physical symptoms when a compression fracture initially occurs, there is a chance that your vertebrae can collapse. If I have to have another drain ever I will come to IVC. In the video below you will meet Brenda one of my clients with compression fractures  and hear her story of how her compression fractures happened, how they affected her quality of life, and what she has done to return to living an active life. My brother came into Legacy Meridian Park, had a stroke. More than I can express. Here’s how to protect your spine if you have a compression fracture. Dr. Pfister is an outstanding interventionalist, who brings a warm bedside manner to his interactions. Push your body up off of the bed with your arms while keeping your back straight, so you come up to a sitting position on the side of your bed. Use a straight-back chair with a firm seat, if possible one with arm rests on it so you can use your hands to help control the movement in and out of the chair. When a load placed on the vertebrae exceeds its stabili… When turning, always move your head first, then your shoulders and hips at the same time (think of them as one unit working together) to avoid twisting your back. I was getting confused by all of the different instructions and restrictions by others. Thank you for the time you spent with me today on the phone. Tips for Getting Out of Bed with a Compression Fracture. Dr Bauer has moved to the top five of all doctors we have encountered. See Compression Fracture Treatment. Thank you all, you all are amazing! More recently, I have been a patient with Dr. Michael Pfister. Multiple untreated compression fractures can eventually lead to severe symptoms and reduced mobility. Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion ALIF/OLIF, Cornerstone Ambulatory Spine Surgery Center. No surgery was needed. Once you have had a compression fracture, you may be more at risk for refracturing the bone again, so it is very important to use proper body mechanics when moving, lifting, or bending to try to prevent injury once you have recovered from the surgery as well. You don't want to overdo it with activity, but you also don't want to stop moving entirely. Thank you all! Kyphoplasty: A Real Treatment Solution for Vertebral Compression Fractures, Interventional Radiology: Radioembolization / Y90, What is the Difference Between Chemoembolization and Traditional Chemotherapy. However, recovery can take much longer if surgery was done. The answer to this question is, yes, an individual can walk with a fractured spine but it will be extremely difficult for the individual to walk without aggravating the symptoms. With all your experience and your fine touch, I’m confident the scar will be nearly invisible. A compression fracture forms in the spine when the vertebrae suffer any sort of trauma that causes them to crack under an overload of pressure. Rest. With the proper precautionary measures and plenty of rest, a compression fracture can typically heal in about three months. I appreciate your care. This condition, typically found in older patients, can compress the vital organs and cause serious complications. VCF: Presumably you had an accident. I would recommend this office for any related procedure. Generally, your doctor will recommend resting and limiting your activities so the fracture can heal. The most common type of vertebral fracture is called a compression fracture. You may also sleep on your side with 1 or both of your knees bent and a pillow between them. I just kept wanting to ask him more questions . Instead, you should always follow your provider’s recommendations and use the following tips for getting out of bed with a compression fracture: Keep your body as straight as possible anytime you’re moving in bed. You guys were so AWESOME! Thanks to Vicky, Paul and Dr. Pfister for their true care & concern. Answered on May 15, 2013. This injury tends to happen in three groups of people:1 1. You may be at a higher risk of a compression fracture if you are a man over the age of 60, a postmenopausal woman or if you have osteoporosis. I … He is the “whole package,” providing both technical savvy as well as kindness. These treatments include pain medications and modified physical activity. Will My Compression Fracture Heal on Its Own? In a chair, the weight of your upper body puts constant pressure on … An individual with a fractured spine will have severe pain in the back which will get worse with any attempts at sitting, standing, or doing any activities. I have a lot to think about…but just wanted to say thanks for being so nice and answering our many questions! They protect your spinal cord and support your body when you stand. Thank You All. Treatments for a Compression Fracture. A compression fracture occurs when the normal vertebral body of the spine is squished, or compressed, to a smaller height. Physical therapy is also commonly used to build up the strength of the surrounding muscles to compensate for weakened bones. ... Don’t pick up objects that are too heavy for you. A compression fracture is a type of break in the bones in your back that stack up to form your spine. Your team, from beginning to end, did a super job with me. 0. NeuroMicroSpine9400 University Pkwy 309 Pensacola, FL 32514 Fax 850.934.7972, Dr. Giovanini's Office: (850) 934-7545Dr. Never a hiccup! A compression fracture is a unique type of fracture that occurs when a bone collapses because it’s too weak to support the weight it typically carries. Additional tests—including an MRI, CT scan or x-ray—may then be used to confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint the issue. I have had a lot of experience with medical care. Cancer patients may also experience a compression fracture if their cancer metastasizes to the spine and weakens the vertebrae. The entire office is one of the most professional, helpful and informative medical offices I have dealt with (and I have dealt with many). (EVLT Patient). Thank you for making this scary procedure go smooth and making me comfortable. I so appreciate the time and attention he gives me as his patient. If you have pain from a compression fracture, read this Here’s a delightful story from the other day. Charley was instrumental in getting me scheduled in quickly to get my PICC line removed. Thank you for being there. I was very apprehensive, yet EVERYONE in Dr. Pfister’s office and surgical team helped to make me comfortable. 1. While many men and women believe they simply have to live with back pain, IVC is here to help you overcome your pain and correct compression fractures using the latest procedures. Compression Fracture Prevention. Best doctors in town! Kyphoplasty is an advanced procedure that corrects the fracture by expanding the bone back to its normal position using a balloon catheter. If you struggle with overwhelming pain from a compression fracture, our interventional radiologists can help you diagnosis the issue and offer treatments that will improve your overall quality of life. I have been advised to wear the brace for 8 weeks minimum and no exercise. Suffering from debilitating back pain is often seen as a normal, expected and unavoidable part of the aging process. I could recommend no one better for myself, or for people I love. Great experience, doctor was thorough in explaining what was going to happen. Compression fractures most often affect your spine. You all are so nice. Compression fractures of the spine are typically treated with rest, bracing, heat and/or cold therapy and pain-relieving medication. Please extend my gratitude to Jennifer, Mary Anne, Todd and Charley. Everyone did a superb job taking care of me and doing the procedure. Good Experience! Dr Jason Bauer performed our 20 year old son’s kidney biopsy last week. A fantastic group of wonderful people. I have a compression fracture on thoracic vertebrae 8, that is about level with the sturnum. He has taught us more about our son’s medical condition than any other doctor has since March 2019! In my career, I have never worked with a more dedicated, thorough, humane, and technically superb group of physicians. You listed the nutrients that would work to the fracture. Best unit so far in my cancer treatment. If you are experiencing pain stemming from your middle or lower spine, then you may have a vertebral compression fracture. I’ve had multiple surgeries with this practice over the past several years. © 2020 IVC Northwest. It may also be helpful to sleep on your stomach with a pillow under you at waist level. Also at a higher risk is being too thin, being a women over 50, and malnutrition. . 205-995-9967 Book Online. From the time I first spoke to Maryanne who was so kind, and walked thru your doors with friendly smiles to greet me – meeting Patty who was so kind and caring and meeting Dr. Love – great bedside manner and smile and made sure all my questions were answered – and having the port placed with an excellent team – Paul asking me what my hobbies were first thing – I knew I was in the right place! Dr Jones : With those details I guess you should restrain sexual activities. With the help of lifestyle adjustments, medication or kyphoplasty, we can heal your compression fracture and eliminate your back pain. The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. I am an 18 year old female. Your facility is so great. I had my blood clot filter removed on 2/21/18. Trauma or a physical injury directed towards the spine. Dr. Zhang speaks fluent Mandarin which was very helpful to my uncle! For patients who cannot afford to spend three months resting, or for those who want to avoid pain medication and its inherent risks, kyphoplasty can be used to heal the compression fracture. When they were putting the port in I felt like I was getting a great massage!! Everyone is so great there. However, a fall from a ladder on my back resulted in a compression fracture of the L1 with lots of muscle soreness. I am a medical oncologist who has been referring my patients to the physicians at IVC for 8 years now. When a vertebra is injured, the most common problem is a fracture. Once you are perched on the edge of the chair, stay upright, then slide to the back of the chair to get your buttock muscles in as tight as possible to the back. Largely because recovery of a bone fracture is really very specific to the patient's age, condition and lifestyle prior to the injury. People who are involved in traumatic accidents. One of our best medical experiences during our entire cancer treatment. 1 In more severe cases, compression fractures are treated with kyphoplasty, which is a minimally invasive procedure. In all the years I’ve had my vascular problems I’ve never had a doctor really sit down and explain to me the intricacies of what might be going on. Thanks. Ashley, the dynamite scheduler and one of the other surgeons at IVC will care for you. One of the most important aspects of healing from a compression fracture is preventing re-injury. This leads to outstanding results. I am extremely claustrophobic so laying down or having something covering my face creates anxiety. When a vertebra cracks, it collapses, compresses and shrinks. She actually worked until late in the day to get the information from my referring doctor’s office. A 67-year old woman had been accompanying her husband to his office visits for 2 weeks, and they both have been delighted with his progress and new found capabilities. Compression fractures can take time to heal, and may require surgery to correct, so it’s crucial to make sure that you are doing everything you can to help your body recover and prevent injury again. If you have surgery, you should always follow any instructions given by your surgeon and avoid any lifting or exercise for at least several weeks. The expert interventional radiologists at IVC are here to help you overcome your back pain by healing compression fractures. Compression fractures happen when there is too much pressure on the vertebra. Here is more information about compression fractures and tips for how you can get out of bed with a compression fracture safely. I wish this was the standard, instead of an exception! A compression fracture in your spine, officially called a vertebral compression fracture, is a serious injury that happens when part of the vertebrae in your spine collapses. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, make sure to be especially vigilant about any new back pain. I am a 71 year old male with osteoporosis who is in generally excellent health, no meds of any kind. Vertebral compression fractures can develop due to sudden trauma from a fall or injury, but they most commonly occur as a result of decreased bone density or bone strength. These bones—called vertebrae—are like blocks. I feel better already! I'm so used to sleeping on my stomach, but I can't now because it hurts to arch or twist my back. To get into bed, you’ll again want to try to keep your back as straight as possible, so you will lower yourself onto your side, using your arms for support. You can reduce your risk for a compression fracture by taking a few key steps, similar to the precautions for avoiding osteoporosis: Consume enough vitamin D and calcium — including such calcium-rich foods as milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, sardines and broccoli. Your surgeon may prescribe physical therapy to help you learn the correct and safe way to move throughout your day, so be sure to keep all of your physical therapy appointments and perform the recommended activities and exercises they ask you to do as well. Compression fractures usually occur in the middle, lower part of the spine. A compression fracture of the back occurs when the bones of your spine (vertebrae) collapse. Recovery time usually isn’t more then 3 months. But sometimes it can be a slow process. Kudos to Jennifer, Henry, and Charley! The nurses were very attentive and made sure I was comfortable and my needs were met. Vertebral compression fractures may develop during a traumatic injury such as an automobile accident or a fall. This can lead to poor posture, pain, loss of height, and a variety of other symptoms. Thank you all, the team was great to work with. A vertebral compression fracture can be evident through a wide variety of symptoms, including: Any activity that places pressure on the spine, such as standing upright or lifting a heavy object incorrectly, can aggravate the fractured vertebra and induce severe pain. Doctors diagnose spinal compression fractures using x-rays or computed tomography. It is nice to know great people like Charley still exist in this world! Mary Anne listened to my concerns and made sure I was made comfortable and did not feel anxious. I’ve got a whole lot of living left to do. If you’re dealing with back pain and. 1 thank. You made a big difference. A compression fracture occurs when a number of vertebrae in the spine are broken. Don't swivel sideways or rotate your torso. Dr. Pfister, thanks so much for your excellent care, removing my chemo port earlier this week. In rare cases, a compression fracture can be a warning sign of undetected cancer if it happens suddenly and without explanation. Most compression fractures result from slight or no force in older people with osteoporosis. I won’t EVER trust anyone else!!! If you can’t see Dr. Love, one of the other professionals at IVC will be able to help you. If you use a walker, keep your chest and head up as you use the walker to stand. You all are great. My experience started with the pre-procedure call – where comfort, trust and confidence was gained. If you don’t use a walker, place a chair next to your bed to help you steady yourself as you stand up. The brace holds your spine tightly in place to relieve pressure and allow the fractured vertebrae to heal. Anytime you move, remember that the goal is to keep the spine as straight and lengthened as possible, to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the back. A compression fracture in your spine, officially called a vertebral compression fracture, is a serious injury that happens when part of the vertebrae in your spine collapses. Mary Anne is an asset. Good experience. Thank you over and over you are the best! Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. If you experience any of the above symptoms or suspect a spinal compression fracture, consult a doctor … Kyphosis is a condition that develops as the result of multiple untreated fractures, eventually creating a rounded back. A compression fracture can cause back pain, limited movement, a decrease in height, and a stopped over posture. While they typically occur individually, patients who suffer one compression fracture have a greatly increased chance of suffering another. Lowered bone density puts you at an increased risk of spinal issues and various types of fractures. From start to finish, was great. Dr Bauer’s skill, knowledge and ability to translate it into lay peoples terms far exceeded FIVE STARS and our expectations. MRI and CAT scans were done.I was told I had a compression fracture of about 30% of the L4. He worked with Neurologist Dr. Burbank, developed a plan and took my brother into a procedure where they removed the clot from his head! For more information on whether spinal surgery is necessary for your condition, or to make an appointment with the doctors at NeuroMicroSpine, please call (850) 934-7545 or click here to request an appointment. So happy not to have to go to the hospital for this. You have given me hope, calmed my anxiety and informed me. In all the years of several surgeries I have never felt better going in to have a procedure done. Thanks so much for everything! I learned lots from our discussion – hearing you speak of ultimate healing was enough to encourage me to do all I can to strengthen those muscles. Thank you for sharing your question with the EmpowHER community. For more severe fractures, or for people who meet the qualifications, surgery, such as a minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion, may also be done to correct the fracture. Thanks Dr. Love. Your team works together well. Now it's difficult to find a 'safe' position to sleep in. Dr. Bauer came in immediately, in his work jeans and shirt. Learning that you have a compression fracture is a crucial first step toward correcting the issue and allows you to begin treatment straight away. Your office has done a great job at follow up. Following an x-ray I have just found out that I have a broken back some two month’s after a fall. 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