I have Got Back Pain from a Compression Fracture—What Are My Options?

Medicine Made Simple Summary 

If you’ve been told that your back pain is caused by a spinal compression fracture, you’re not alone—and it’s not as frightening as it sounds. These small breaks in the spine are common, especially with age, osteoporosis, or after minor injuries. The good news is that most compression fractures can heal with proper care, rest, and treatment. For some patients, newer, minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty can relieve pain quickly and restore movement. This guide explains what’s happening in your spine and what options you really have for recovery.

What is a spinal compression fracture?

Your spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, stacked one on top of another. These bones form the structure that supports your body and protects your spinal cord.

A compression fracture happens when one of these vertebrae collapses or cracks. It’s like the spine has lost a brick in its tower, causing pain, stiffness, and sometimes a bent or stooped posture.

This often occurs in the mid or lower back, and while the injury can happen suddenly, sometimes the pain builds slowly over time.

It’s especially common in people with osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and makes them more likely to break—even from small movements or simple falls. In younger people, it can happen due to trauma, accidents, or, rarely, cancers affecting the bone.

How does a compression fracture feel?

The pain from a compression fracture can vary from mild to severe. Some people feel sharp, stabbing pain after a sudden movement or fall. Others notice a dull ache that worsens with standing or bending.

Common signs include:

• Sudden back pain after lifting, coughing, or twisting

• Pain that improves when lying down

• Loss of height over time

• A curved or hunched back (called kyphosis)

In rare cases, if the fracture presses on nerves, you might feel tingling, numbness, or weakness in your legs.

Because symptoms can mimic muscle strain or arthritis, many people don’t realize they have a fracture until a doctor orders an X-ray, CT, or MRI scan.

Why do these fractures happen?

The most common reason is bone weakness. As we age—especially in post-menopausal women—bones lose calcium and density. This makes them fragile, like dry wood that can splinter easily.

Other causes include:

• Osteoporosis (most common)

• Trauma, such as car accidents or sports injuries

• Cancer that spreads to the bone

• Prolonged steroid use, which weakens bones

Your doctor will usually do bone density testing (DEXA scan) to check how strong your bones are and tailor treatment accordingly.

First steps after diagnosis

If imaging confirms a compression fracture, don’t panic. Many heal naturally with conservative care. Your doctor will recommend a combination of:

• Pain relief medications such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatories.

• Rest and activity modification to allow the bone to heal without strain.

• Bracing, which supports your back and helps keep your spine stable.

• Physical therapy, which teaches gentle movements to strengthen muscles and improve posture.

In most cases, the pain improves within a few weeks and healing occurs over two to three months.

But if pain persists or limits your daily activities, minimally invasive procedures may be considered.

When conservative care isn’t enough

For some patients, especially those with severe or persistent pain, modern medical technology offers two innovative solutions: vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

Both are minimally invasive procedures performed by an interventional radiologist to stabilize the fractured vertebra and relieve pain quickly—often within days.

These procedures are done under light sedation, through a tiny puncture rather than open surgery. Most patients go home the same day or after one night.

What is vertebroplasty?

In vertebroplasty, your doctor uses imaging guidance (like X-rays or CT scans) to insert a thin needle into the fractured bone. A special medical cement is gently injected into the vertebra.

As the cement hardens, it stabilizes the bone, stopping movement at the fracture site—the main cause of pain.

This procedure doesn’t restore the lost height of the vertebra, but it provides strong internal support and fast pain relief.

Most people notice dramatic improvement within 48 hours.

What is kyphoplasty—and how it differs

Kyphoplasty works similarly to vertebroplasty, but with an extra step to help restore the spine’s shape.

Before injecting the cement, the doctor inserts a tiny balloon into the collapsed vertebra and gently inflates it. This raises the bone closer to its original height and creates space for the cement.

The balloon is then removed, and cement fills the cavity.
The goal is to both stabilize and realign the spine, reducing curvature and improving posture.

Kyphoplasty is often chosen when the vertebra has collapsed significantly or when the patient’s posture is visibly affected.

The benefits of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

Both procedures have been life-changing for patients with painful compression fractures.

They offer:

• Rapid pain relief—often within days

• Short recovery time—home the same day or next

• Improved mobility—most resume normal activity within a week

• Reduced need for strong pain medication

• Better posture and spinal stability

Because they’re image-guided and precise, complication rates are low when performed by trained specialists.

Recovery and what to expect

After either procedure, you’ll rest for a few hours while the cement hardens. Most patients can walk the same day.

Mild soreness at the injection site may occur for a day or two, but severe pain usually subsides quickly.
You’ll be advised to avoid heavy lifting for a week or two and gradually resume normal activities.

Follow-up imaging ensures the cement has set properly and the fracture is stable.
Your doctor may also start osteoporosis treatment—medications or supplements to prevent future fractures.

Risks and limitations

Like any medical procedure, vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty carry small risks:

• Leakage of cement outside the bone (rare, usually harmless)

• Infection (very rare due to sterile conditions)

• New fractures in nearby vertebrae if underlying osteoporosis isn’t treated

The key is careful patient selection—these procedures are most effective for fresh fractures (less than three months old) that cause significant pain.

If the fracture is old and healed, or pain comes from other causes, the benefits may be limited.

Lifestyle and prevention after a fracture

Healing one fracture is only the first step—preventing the next is equally important.

To protect your spine:

• Treat osteoporosis with medications prescribed by your doctor.

• Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.

• Engage in gentle weight-bearing exercise to strengthen bones and muscles.

• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol, both of which weaken bones.

• Maintain good posture and use supportive seating.

If you’ve had one compression fracture, your risk of another increases—so prevention is key.

When to seek urgent help

While most back pain after a compression fracture is mechanical, see your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Sudden worsening of pain

• New numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs

• Difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels

These may indicate nerve involvement that requires urgent evaluation.

Conclusion 

A spinal compression fracture can be painful—but it’s also highly treatable. With early diagnosis, supportive care, and, when needed, minimally invasive options like vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, most people return to active, comfortable lives.

If you’re struggling with persistent back pain, don’t assume it’s “just age.” Ask your doctor or an interventional radiologist about imaging to confirm the cause. Relief could be simpler than you think—and you might be back on your feet sooner than expected.