Hidden Causes of Thoracic Spine Pain: Could You Have a Compression Fracture?

If you have back pain, your first thought probably isn’t that you’ve a broken bone in your back. You run through more common causes first: muscle strain, overuse, bad posture, sleeping wrong, etc.

But if you have persistent pain in your thoracic spine (the middle of your back), you may be dealing with something more serious than a small tweak: a compression fracture.

At Pain Management Associates, we don’t want you to live with this condition and this pain. Here’s more information about what it is and how to treat it.

What is a compression fracture?

Vertebrae are the bones that make up your spine. While they’re very strong, they can fracture, just like any other bone in your body. When one of your vertebrae collapses or compresses due to an injury, accident, or weakening over time, it’s called a vertebral compression fracture.

They can occur anywhere in the spine, but most commonly occur in the thoracic, or mid-back, region. Symptoms include sudden or gradually worsening back pain, pain that increases when standing up and decreases when lying down, hunched posture, and difficulty twisting or bending, 

Who is at risk for a compression fracture?

Even activities that seem minor, such as lifting a heavy object or even coughing too hard, can cause a compression fracture if your vertebrae are already weakened. Factors that most put people at risk for this kind of fracture include:

• Age (over 50)
• Osteoporosis or low bone density
• Using corticosteroids for a long period of time
• Previous spinal fractures
• Cancers that weaken your bones
• Serious trauma to your back

What are the treatment options?

The first step is to determine the actual cause of your pain. Our team can perform a comprehensive examination, including imaging tests, to confirm a compression fracture. Your treatment will depend on the severity of your fracture and your pain.

Many times, conservative treatment such as rest, activity modification, medications, physical therapy, and bracing can relieve your pain and promote healing. Surgery is rarely needed, but if your pain is severe and persists after initial treatments, you may need a minimally invasive procedure such as kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty. 

Spinal decompression therapy may also be an option for you, depending on your individual situation.

If you think you may be dealing with a thoracic compression fracture, our expert team at Pain Management Associates is here to help. To schedule an appointment, call either of our Greenbelt offices or use our online scheduler to book your own time.