What are spinal fractures?
A spinal fracture is simply a break in one or more bones in the spinal column. Spinal fractures occur when any of the 33 vertebrae that make up the spine experience trauma, or when degenerative or other bone-compromising diseases weaken the vertebrae. A common cause for spinal fractures, especially in women, is osteoporosis. Those with osteoporosis often sustain vertebral compression fractures — the breaking and collapsing of the bone — in the course of doing everyday tasks such as lifting, bending or twisting. It is also common for people with osteoporosis to fracture their vertebrae during a fall. A vertebral compression fracture can be accompanied by sudden sharp pain, chronic dull pain or no pain at all. Vertebral compression fractures can cause sharp pain at the time of the fracture that evolves into a more chronic, diffuse pain after several days or weeks. Spinal fractures can also be caused by bone weakening due to cancer and other chronic disorders. Trauma is also a leading cau
