A vertebral compression fracture happens when the backbone (vertebra) breaks by being squeezed. This is seen most often in older people who have osteoporosis (Ost-E-O-Puh-Roh-Sis), but can happen in young athletes. In athletes it happens when a strong force pushes the vertebrae together, causing the body of the vertebra to collapse. This is most often seen in the thoracic (torso) or lumbar (low back) spine. Signs and Symptoms

sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

an increase of pain with standing or walking loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

Increased Risk

adults over age 65 collision sports (football, ice hockey, lacrosse)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching, and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Braces

A back brace may be prescribed to help with pain control and support.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis. Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment you lose control of bowels or bladder new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Vertebral Compression Fracture (PDF) HH-I-540 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

A vertebral compression fracture happens when the backbone (vertebra) breaks by being squeezed. This is seen most often in older people who have osteoporosis (Ost-E-O-Puh-Roh-Sis), but can happen in young athletes. In athletes it happens when a strong force pushes the vertebrae together, causing the body of the vertebra to collapse. This is most often seen in the thoracic (torso) or lumbar (low back) spine. Signs and Symptoms

sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

an increase of pain with standing or walking loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

Increased Risk

adults over age 65 collision sports (football, ice hockey, lacrosse)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching, and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Braces

A back brace may be prescribed to help with pain control and support.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis. Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment you lose control of bowels or bladder new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Vertebral Compression Fracture (PDF) HH-I-540 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

A vertebral compression fracture happens when the backbone (vertebra) breaks by being squeezed. This is seen most often in older people who have osteoporosis (Ost-E-O-Puh-Roh-Sis), but can happen in young athletes. In athletes it happens when a strong force pushes the vertebrae together, causing the body of the vertebra to collapse. This is most often seen in the thoracic (torso) or lumbar (low back) spine. Signs and Symptoms

sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

an increase of pain with standing or walking loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

Increased Risk

adults over age 65 collision sports (football, ice hockey, lacrosse)

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat may be used before performing stretching, and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Braces

A back brace may be prescribed to help with pain control and support.

Exercises

Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis. Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment you lose control of bowels or bladder new, unexplained symptoms develop

  Sports Medicine: Vertebral Compression Fracture (PDF) HH-I-540 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

A vertebral compression fracture happens when the backbone (vertebra) breaks by being squeezed. This is seen most often in older people who have osteoporosis (Ost-E-O-Puh-Roh-Sis), but can happen in young athletes. In athletes it happens when a strong force pushes the vertebrae together, causing the body of the vertebra to collapse. This is most often seen in the thoracic (torso) or lumbar (low back) spine.

Signs and Symptoms

sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

an increase of pain with standing or walking loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

Increased Risk

  • adults over age 65
  • collision sports (football, ice hockey, lacrosse)

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat may be used before performing stretching, and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Braces
  • A back brace may be prescribed to help with pain control and support.
  • Exercises
  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

How to Prevent

Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis. Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at (614) 355-6000 if:

sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

an increase of pain with standing or walking loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

  • sudden onset of back pain – common in the mid or low back

  • numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs

  • an increase of pain with standing or walking

  • loss of height or bent posture with a hunched back over time

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®).

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat may be used before performing stretching, and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • A back brace may be prescribed to help with pain control and support.

  • Exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and proper body mechanics are important. These can be done at home, but often a referral to a physical therapist or athletic trainer may be advised by your health care provider.

Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D. Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis. Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness. Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

  • Build strong bones with plenty of calcium and vitamin D.

  • Obtain a bone density test if at risk for osteoporosis.

  • Use proper sports and lifting techniques.

  • Maintain proper conditioning, flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, and cardiovascular fitness.

  • Complete the entire course of exercises after injury before returning to practice or competition.

  • symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment

  • you lose control of bowels or bladder

  • new, unexplained symptoms develop

 

Sports Medicine: Vertebral Compression Fracture (PDF)

HH-I-540 ©2022, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online