What is a moderate wedge fracture?

Posted on 13/02/2020
by Shantelle Lovell
13/02/2020
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What is a moderate wedge fracture?

A wedge fracture is a vertebral compression fracture occurring anteriorly or laterally. Viewed, the affected vertebra resembles a wedge. These fractures are more commonly found in the thoracic spine, which is rather rigid displaying only a few degrees of flexion and extension.

Can a wedge fracture get worse?

The main symptom you’ll notice with a spinal compression fracture is back pain. It may start gradually and get worse over time or come on suddenly and sharply.

What is anterior wedge compression?

When the vertebra crushes or collapses, it tends to collapse at the front. This is why compression fractures are sometimes known as anterior wedge fractures. As the bone at the front of the vertebra collapses, it forms a wedge shape.

What causes wedge shaped vertebrae?

This deformity occurs when the body of the vertebra becomes fragmented as in fracture crush, or when the bone becomes sufficiently softened from pathologic processes so that the body weight compresses the vertebra from above downward.

How do you manage a wedge fracture?

Most patients can expect to make a full recovery from their compression fracture. Typically, braces are worn for six to twelve weeks followed by three to six weeks of physical therapy (PT) and exercise. Some patients may benefit by use of a bone growth stimulator.

How long does it take for a thoracic fracture to heal?

Vertebral fractures usually take about three months to fully heal. X-rays will probably be taken monthly to check on the healing progress.

Can a wedge fracture be fixed?

There’s a good chance you won’t need surgery. Most people can get by without it. Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.

What is the difference between a compression fracture and a wedge compression fracture?

In a compression fracture, the vertebral body collapses. The most common type of compression fracture is a wedge fracture, in which the front of the vertebral body collapses but the back does not, meaning that the bone assumes a wedge shape.

How long does a wedge fracture take to heal?

Compression fractures usually heal on their own in about 3 months. While that happens, your doctor may suggest you try some things at home that can make you feel better, such as pain medicines, rest, physical therapy, or a back brace.

How do you sleep with a thoracic fracture?

Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will decrease pressure on your back. You may also sleep on your side with 1 or both of your knees bent and a pillow between them. It may also be helpful to sleep on your stomach with a pillow under you at waist level.

Can I sleep on my side with a fractured spine?

You may also sleep on your side with 1 or both of your knees bent and a pillow between them. It may also be helpful to sleep on your stomach with a pillow under you at waist level.

How do you treat a wedge compression fracture?

Vertebral Compression Fracture Treatment The majority of mild to moderate compression fractures are treated with immobilization in a brace or corset for a period of six to twelve weeks. The duration of treatment is based on symptoms and x-rays.

Can you lose height from a compression fracture?

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when the bony block or vertebral body in the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity and loss of height.

How do you sleep with a wedge fracture?

How do you sit with a fractured vertebrae?

Push your body up off of the bed with your arms while keeping your back straight, so you come up to a sitting position on the side of your bed. At the same time, lower your legs over the side of the bed while keeping your back straight. Continue to lower your legs until your feet hit the floor, while remaining upright.

How long does it take for a compression fracture to stop hurting?

Pain from a spinal compression fracture allowed to heal naturally can last as long as three months. But the pain usually improves significantly in a matter of days or weeks. Pain management may include analgesic pain medicines, bed rest, back bracing, and physical activity.

How do wedge fractures heal?

What are the names of the vertebrae affected by anterior wedge fractures?

Common vertebrae affected are T11, T12, and L1. Anterior wedge fractures are often called vertebral crush or vertebral compression fractures. Many different tests can diagnose if you do indeed have one of these fractures. Bones in the spine are known as vertebrae (plural).

Is there an anterior wedge compression fracture at T6?

I WENT TO THE DOCTOR, X-RAYS WERE TAKEN AND I WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN ANTERIOR WEDGE COMPRESSION FRACTURE AT T6. THIS HAPPENED 2 MONTHS AGO. I AM STILL HAVING SPORADIC PAINS IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY TRUNK AREA.

What are the effects of damage to the T6 vertebrae?

Because this vertebra is in close proximity to the stomach, injury or damage to the T6 may cause problems such as heartburn, dyspepsia, and indigestion.

Can a vertebral wedge fracture cause back pain?

Vertebral Wedging Fracture A vertebral wedge fracture is one possible causes of irregular shaped spinal bones. This type of fracture can occasionally be the result of traumatic injury in any patient, but is far more typical in elderly patients as a compression fracture.

Because this vertebra is in close proximity to the stomach, injury or damage to the T6 may cause problems such as heartburn, dyspepsia, and indigestion.

What causes bone marrow edema in compression fractures?

Dual-energy CT virtual noncalcium images were able to depict bone marrow in the collapsed vertebral bodies, especially in those with less than 50% sclerosis and/or air. Vertebral compression fractures occur when the strength of a vertebral body is overpowered by combined axial and bending loading forces ( 1 ).