What is a vertebral compression fracture?
The bones in your spine are called vertebrae; the thick portion of bone at the front of each vertebra is referred to as the vertebral body (Fig 1). A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurs when the vertebral body fractures and collapses (Fig 2). Most VCFs are caused by osteoporosis, a disease that causes bones to become brittle and break easily. Because osteoporosis usually progresses without obvious symptoms, a person may not know that they have the disease until a fracture occurs. Compression fractures can also occur as a result of certain types of cancer or tumors. Multiple compression fractures cause your spine to shorten and angle forward, resulting in a stooped posture. This forward curvature of the spine (kyphosis) makes it difficult to walk, reach for things, or conduct activities of daily living. Chronic back pain, loss of height, diminished appetite, and difficulty sleeping have been associated with this disorder. Over time, patients with VCFs are at increased risk of su
