Kevin Macadaeg, MD

One of the most common causes of spine fractures – referred to as vertebral compression fractures, is osteoporosis.  One statistic projects that there are approximately 750,000 spine fractures resulting from osteoporosis per year in the U.S.

Many times, spine fractures resulting from osteoporosis are overlooked and not diagnosed.  Frequently, when older people complain of back pain – it is thought to be related to muscle strains or normal aches and pains due to aging.  It is important for individuals to recognize that if they have sudden acute back pain – following an activity such as golf (or other twisting), lifting or even a small fall – this could be the result of a fractured vertebra.  Following the acute pain resulting from the fracture – the pain may then lead to chronic back pain and therefore many times is thought of as just that – back pain.

When you think about osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures – this does not just occur in the elderly.  Anyone who is 40 or over is susceptible to this – depending on their risk factors for osteoporosis.

If you suspect that your back pain is a result of a vertebral compression fracture, see your physician or a minimally invasive spine specialist.  For more information, call our office at 317.228.7000.