I had an x-ray done on July 2, this year. It said that I had anterior wedging of several mid thoracic vertebral bodies, the most severely affected having lost 35% height anteriorly, consistent with a mild wedge compression fracture. I am in severe, chronic pain, and I'm unable to do ANY physical exercise or physiotherapy. I am basically immobilized/bedridden due to malignant degenerative pain, despite painkillers.. My question is: If I simply "do nothing", will I keep losing height of the fractured vertebrae? It was 35% loss on July 2, will it be 40% on September 2? How rapidly will it lose height? I cannot "do" anything. It just keeps degenerating. With each month going by, how much height will I be losing? By January 2 2013, could I lose 50%? I'm worried because they say that they have to put you in traction if it gets that bad. Is this true? Thanks for your time.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Have you consulted with a neurosurgeon? No, compression fractures do not as a rule continue to "compress" after the original injury. However, it can lead to degenerative arthritis.
Compression fractures are sometimes appropriately treated with balloon kyphoplasties, which essentially re-inflate the compressed spinal bone, which takes the pressure off the spinal nerves (which is causing the pain).
If that isn't appropriate, then you need to consult with a pain management specialist.
Are u an similar guy I responded for a bout per chance 3 wk in the past? You ask what the record reported. I defined T stands for thorasic, anterior ability the front so on etc? It become alonger reply. really a mini clinical terminalogy lesson. wager you're that similar guy. some potatoing is accepted on your case. That become/is a nasty damage. search for "osteoclast" and "osteoblast" on your search for engine alongside with "bone callous" . you'll likely run for the era of different articles too about how bone heals. Your question is a sticky one this time round. I ll airborne dirt and dust off some previous books and attempt to discover this post back yet presented that i hit upon some thing sensible. I accept as true with the different responder. i extremely extremely extremely haven't got self belief your again will proceed to lose right. From what you typed in it sounds like of route more beneficial than one has a fracture, inspite of the indisputable fact that the physician is conserving the worst ONE has lost 35%. hang in there!
Sorry, there is nobody here who can answer this without seeing you and getting the whole story. Ask the doctors who are looking after you. There are methods of stabilising crush fractures, but I don't know if they would be appropriate for you. Sorry again.