Nearly 700,000 people develop spine fractures each year in the United States. At Regenerative Pain & Spine with locations in Chicago, IL, serving the the neighborhoods of Bucktown, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, & Lakeview, Shoeb Mohiuddin, MD, and the pain management team offer comprehensive care for spine fractures using evidence-based treatments. They use on-site diagnostic imaging to identify the fracture and customize care plans using regenerative medicine therapies, pain-relieving medications, and other conservative treatments to heal your spine. Find out more about available treatments for spine fractures by calling Regenerative Pain & Spine or requesting an appointment online today.
request an appointmentWhat causes spine fractures?
Spine fractures are breaks in the bones that make up your spine. Fractures can develop anywhere along your spine but are most common in the thoracic (middle of the back) and lumbar (lower back) spine.
Fractures in the spine are often the result of direct trauma to your spine from auto accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
You’re also more susceptible to spine fractures as you age because of the loss of bone density, if you’re obese, or if you have an underlying degenerative disorder like osteoporosis.
What are the symptoms of a spine fracture?
A spine fracture can range from mild to severe and generally causes pain in the middle or lower back. This pain tends to worsen as you move and can become more serious over time.
If the fracture is compressing nearby nerves or your spinal cord, you may also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs. Nerve compression can also lead to changes in your bowel and bladder function.
When a spine fracture occurs due to high-impact trauma, such as from an auto accident, you may experience severe pain from other injuries that initially mask your spine fracture pain. In this situation, it’s important you seek emergency medical treatment.
If you have a fracture, Dr. Mohiuddin and the Regenerative Pain & Spine team can then address your fracture using evidence-based treatments.
How are spine fractures treated?
The goal of treating spine fractures is to promote the healing of your bone and relieve your persistent back pain. Dr. Mohiuddin and the medical team also focus on reducing your risk factors for experiencing additional fractures if you have osteoporosis or are obese.
Available treatments for spine fractures include:
Bracing
Initially, treating a mild fracture may involve rest and spine immobilization. Dr. Mohiuddin may suggest wearing a brace to prevent movement in your spine, so the fracture can heal naturally.
Medications
Dr. Mohiuddin offers pain-relieving treatments to keep you comfortable as you heal. This may include oral medications or injectable anesthetic medicines and anti-inflammatories.
Regenerative medicine
If you have persistent pain from a serious fracture, you may be a candidate for regenerative medicine.
This type of therapy involves Dr. Mohiuddin injecting stem cells into your spine to heal the fracture from the inside out. Stem cells have the unique ability to regenerate into new, healthy bone to repair the fracture and provide stability in your spine.
Kyphoplasty
When you have a severe fracture that interferes with your mobility or quality of life, you may need kyphoplasty. During this minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Mohiuddin injects a bone cement into the fracture that quickly hardens and stabilizes your spine.
Get advanced treatment for spine fractures by calling Regenerative Pain & Spine, or request a diagnostic evaluation online today.