Non Operative & Operative For VCF

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurs when one or more vertebrae in the spine collapse or compress due to conditions such as osteoporosis, trauma, or malignancy. This can lead to severe back pain, spinal deformity, and reduced mobility.

Symptoms often include the sudden onset of severe back pain (especially after a minor fall, lifting, or bending), worsening of pain when standing or walking, loss of overall height, and developing a hunched forward posture (known as kyphosis).

Diagnosis begins with a thorough physical examination followed by imaging tests. X-rays can show the collapsed bone, while an MRI scan is highly effective at determining whether the fracture is fresh (acute) or old, and if nerves are involved.

Conservative, non-operative treatments include a short period of rest, prescribed pain medications, the use of a rigid back brace to limit movement and support the spine as it heals, and gentle physical therapy once the acute pain subsides.

Surgical intervention is considered if severe pain persists despite weeks of conservative treatment, or if the fracture results in significant spinal instability or nerve compression. Minimally invasive procedures are generally the preferred surgical choice.

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure where medical-grade bone cement is injected directly into the fractured vertebra through a small needle to stabilize it and relieve pain. A related procedure, Kyphoplasty, involves first inflating a small balloon inside the bone to restore lost height before injecting the cement.