| ENCYCLOPEDIA INDEX |
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Injury Disease Nutrition Poison Symptoms Surgery Test |
| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Compression fractures of the back |
| Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention |
| Alternative Names: |
| Vertebral compression fractures |
| Symptoms: |
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| Signs and tests: |
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Physical examination may show kyphosis. There is also tenderness over the injured vertebrae. A spine X-ray shows at least one compressed vertebra that is shorter than the other vertebrae. If there is no history of significant trauma, a bone density test needs to be done to evaluate for osteoporosis. If there is concern that the fracture was caused by a tumor eating away at and weakening the bone, a CT or MRI scan is necessary to get a better look at the bone. Also, if the fracture was caused by high-energy trauma (fall from a height, car accident, etc.) then a CT scan is needed to see if there are bone fragments pressing on the spinal cord. |
Vertebroplasty - series |
Compression fracture |
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