Understanding The Common Risk Factors for Compression Fractures

Have you ever experienced excruciating back pain? If not, consider yourself fortunate. Up to 80% of people are expected to have at least one bout of back pain throughout their lifetime, with sensations intense enough to cause them to miss work or seek medical assistance. Your spine’s bones are meant to endure certain strain and stress from your regular activities, which they normally do quite effectively. Nonetheless, if enough stress is applied to a spinal segment, such as after a violent fall or an automobile collision, the excess tension could result in a break or fracture. Reviewed below are some of the potential risk factors for spinal compression fractures in Ionia that you should recognize, particularly as you age. Continue reading to find out more.

Age

As previously stated, one of the leading risk factors for spinal compression fractures is age. It could occur due to a natural decrease in bone density that usually happens in your 30s and extends into later life. Whenever the spine’s bones get more fragile, it requires very little stress to shatter them.

Gender

Women are twice, if not more, as likely than men to suffer from compression fractures. This concern is primarily because of the modifications that come with aging women, particularly following menopause. These changes, coupled with the fluctuations in hormone levels, can greatly affect women’s bone density, thus raising susceptibility to compression fractures.

Genetics

You do not have to have a family history of spinal compression fractures to have the same problem. It does, nonetheless, statistically enhance your chances of having a bone fracture of this type, especially if you have a family or personal history of osteoporosis. This condition generally causes your bones to become unusually thin, rendering them more vulnerable to breakage.

Calcium And Vitamin D Deficiencies

Calcium and vitamin D are required for bones, especially the spine, to stay strong and build new tissue. As a result, being low in any of these nutrients may increase your chance of fracture.

Additional Risk Factors

Certain drugs have the potential to cause bone loss as an adverse effect. Smoking is another risk factor because it can reduce blood flow. Decreased circulation ultimately impacts the tissues that provide nourishment to the joints and bones of your spine.

How To Prevent Spinal Compression Fractures?

Compression fractures are not usually completely avoidable. However, there are various ways to reduce your susceptibility to this disorder. For instance, if your diet alone does not provide enough vitamin D and calcium, consult your physician about supplementation. Other ways to avoid spinal compression fractures include:

  •         Ceasing smoking
  •         Keeping a healthy weight or shedding excess pounds
  •         Choosing nutrient-dense foods and aiming for a balanced diet
  •         Sticking to an exercise routine to relieve pressure on your spine

Back pain that worsens when walking or standing is one of the warning signs of a compression fracture. Do not hesitate to talk to a specialist immediately after you begin noticing such concerns. Whether you have a compression fracture or any other injury that triggers serious back or neck pain, the specialist at Advanced Pain Solutions can help. Schedule a consultation through mobile or book online to explore your care options today.

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