What causes compression deformity?

What causes compression deformity?

Osteoporosis is the most common cause of compression fractures. Osteoporosis is a type of bone loss that causes bones to break easily. Other causes include injuries to the spine (such as from car accidents and sports injuries) and tumors in the spine. The tumor may start in the vertebrae.

What is a wedging deformity?

This deformity occurs when the body of the vertebra becomes fragmented as in fracture crush, or when the bone becomes sufficiently softened from pathologic processes so that the body weight compresses the vertebra from above downward.

Is a wedge deformity a fracture?

Wedge fracture — This fracture usually occurs in the front of the vertebra, collapsing the bone in the front of the spine and leaving the back of the same bone unchanged, which results in the vertebra taking on a wedge shape.

When is surgery needed for compression fracture?

If a spine compression fracture causes significant back pain that persists for more than two months despite nonsurgical treatment such as pain medication, activity modification, and bracing, doctors may recommend surgery to relieve pain and stabilize the spine.

What is compression deformity?

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) occur when the bony block or vertebral body in the spine collapses, which can lead to severe pain, deformity and loss of height. These fractures more commonly occur in the thoracic spine (the middle portion of the spine), especially in the lower part.

What is D12 vertebra?

Thoracic spine: 12 vertebrae (D1 – D12) Lumbar spine: 5 vertebrae (L1 – L5) Sacrum: 5 fused vertebrae (S1 – S5) Coccyx: 4 frequently fused vertebrae. Cervical Spine, Thoracic Spine and Lumbar Spine.

What is a wedge vertebra?

A wedge fracture is a vertebral compression fracture occurring anteriorly or laterally. Viewed, the affected vertebra resembles a wedge. These fractures are more commonly found in the thoracic spine, which is rather rigid displaying only a few degrees of flexion and extension.

Is a compression deformity the same as a fracture?

A patient may have a compression fracture without the deformity. The compression fracture may cause a compression deformity; the deformity (known as the hunchback deformity – kyphosis) occurs when the fractured vertebra collapses shortening and tilting the vertebra forward.

What is thoracic vertebra?

Thoracic vertebrae are the twelve vertebral segments (T1-T12) that make up the thoracic spine. These structures have very little motion because they are firmly attached to the ribs and sternum (breastbone).