What is a compression fracture of the L1 lumbar vertebrae?
What is a compression fracture of the L1 lumbar vertebrae?
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.
How is a compression fracture of the L1 treated?
How is a compression fracture treated?
- Pain medicine to relieve your back pain.
- Bed rest for a short time, followed by limited activity while your bones heal.
- Wearing a back brace.
- Physical therapy to help you move better and strengthen the muscles around your spine.
What does the L1 vertebra control?
L1 spinal nerve provides sensation to the groin and genital regions and may contribute to the movement of the hip muscles. L2, L3, and L4 spinal nerves provide sensation to the front part of the thigh and inner side of the lower leg. These nerves also control movements of the hip and knee muscles.
Is a back brace good for a compression fracture?
Another common form of treatment for some types of vertebral compression fractures is bracing. Your doctor may prescribe a back support (often officially called an orthosis). The brace supports the back and restricts movement; just as an arm brace would support a fracture of the arm.
What causes compression fractures?
A compression fracture is most likely to be caused by serious trauma to the spine, particularly in the case of falling from an extreme height. Because of the force necessary to cause compression fractures, they often occur in tandem with other injuries, including damage to the spinal cord and severe ligament damage.
What is treatment for compression fracture?
For the most part, nonoperative treatments are recommended for compression fracture. These treatments include pain medications and modified physical activity. The doctor may recommend wearing a brace that helps support the back and prevents bending forward, and therefore removes pressure from the fractured vertebrae.
What are the effects of spinal compression fractures?
Compression Fracture Definition. The fracture can affect more than one vertebra and multiple compression fractures can lead to shortened height and kyphosis, a forward curvature of the spine resembling a hump and referred to as dowagers hump. Compression fractures are most common in elderly adults, especially women.
What you should know about spinal compression fractures?
Compression fracture symptoms usually start with tiny cracks in the bone that produce back pain. Eventually, if fracturing spreads, the entire vertebra will collapse. Most patients that exhibit spinal compression fractures usually see breakages in the front part of the vertebrae, where the bone is weaker.