Spine Fracture

Like all the other bones in your body, the spinal bones (vertebrae) can fracture and cause pain and disability. At the NeuroSpine Center, widely renowned minimally invasive spine surgeon Phillip Henkin, MD, offers advanced treatments that correct spine fractures without needing an extended hospital stay. Call the Tampa, Florida, office today or use the provided online booking feature to arrange a consultation with Dr. Henkin.

What is a spine fracture?

A spine fracture is a broken vertebra. Your spine contains a column of 33 vertebrae, starting at the bottom of your neck and ending at your tailbone.

The most common spine fracture is a vertebral compression fracture, in which the vertebral body (the thick front part of the bone) develops a tiny crack. Vertebral compression fractures weaken the bone, which can lead to its collapse.

Most vertebral compression fractures happen in the middle or bottom part of the spine.

What are the signs of a spine fracture?

A spine fracture can cause:

• Back or neck pain
• Worsening pain when walking or standing
• Lessening pain when lying flat
• Loss of height
• Spinal curvature and hunched posture (kyphosis)

It’s best to contact the NeuroSpine Center as early as possible if you have these symptoms. Treating a spine fracture now can help you avoid severe complications like height loss and kyphosis.

What causes spine fractures?

Spine fractures can be caused by traumatic injuries, cancer, and osteoporosis (bone thinning common in older adults).

Vertebral compression fractures are commonly seen in postmenopausal women (the group most affected by osteoporosis) and grow more common in both sexes with age. In people with osteoporosis, even an ordinary movement, like sneezing or coughing, can fracture an already brittle vertebra.

Are spine fractures fixable?

Spine fractures are treatable, and in fact, you might only need nonoperative care to recover fully. Generally, nonoperative care involves rest, wearing a brace, and conservative use of pain medication. Most compression fractures heal in 8-12 weeks using these methods.

However, you might need surgery if your spine fracture continues to cause severe pain or other problems. Dr. Henkin is the best minimally invasive spine surgeon in Tampa, with highly specialized skills in unique procedures that restore vertebrae and relieve pain without hospital stays.

One example of a minimally invasive spine fracture procedure is vertebroplasty. Dr. Henkin injects surgical-grade cement into a fractured vertebra to reinforce the bone and restore it to its normal height. Dr. Henkin uses incisions less than an inch long to achieve stellar patient results.

Relieving pain, restoring healthy spine movement, and providing ideal patient outcomes are all essential in Dr. Henkin’s eyes. Call the NeuroSpine Center office today or book an appointment online for help with your spine fracture.