Compression fracture

A compression fracture is a fracture of an vertebral body, resulting from continuous "collapse in on itself."

Symptoms

Severe back pain and significant limitation of movement due to the pain are the result. Depending on the location and severity, compression fractures may also be associated with neurological deficits.

Etiology

The cause is usually a degenerative loss of structural integrity of the vertebral bone due to osteoporosis.

Imaging

Thoracic spine compression fracture MRI
Depiction of a compression fracture of the sixth thoracic vertebral body on sagittal T2-weighted imaging.
Compression fracture on CT
Depiction of a compression fracture of T6 in a sagittal CT image of the thoracic spine using a bone window.

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