What is a fractured spine?
A fractured spine is a medical term for breaking any of your vertebrae, the 33 bones that make up your spinal column. A single bone in your spine is a vertebra — vertebrae is the plural form.
People sometimes refer to a spinal fracture as a broken back. Fractured vertebrae are usually caused by osteoporosis and traumas like falls, sports injuries or car accidents.
Most spinal fractures won’t need surgery, but you might need to wear a brace for a few months. However, severe spinal fractures will need to be surgically repaired.
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Types of spinal fractures
A healthcare provider will classify the fracture in your spine based on where it is in your back and how your vertebrae are broken. They’ll also classify the fracture as stable or unstable, depending on whether your vertebrae are out of their usual alignment.
Segments of the spine
Your spine is divided into three main sections, all of which can experience a spinal fracture:
- Cervical spine fracture: Broken vertebrae in your neck.
- Thoracic spine fracture: Broken vertebrae in your upper back that runs from the bottom of your neck to the bottom of your ribs.
- Lumbar spine fracture: Broken vertebrae in your lower back.
Fracture types
The most common types of spinal fractures include:
- Compression fractures: Compression fractures are small breaks or cracks in your vertebrae that are caused by traumas or develop over time as a result of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens your bones, making them more susceptible to sudden and unexpected fractures. An undiagnosed spinal compression caused by osteoporosis can make you lose several inches from your height or develop a hunched forward posture (kyphosis).
- Burst fractures: Burst fractures happen when your spine is suddenly compressed with a strong force. They can cause your vertebrae to break into many pieces.
- Chance (flexion/distraction) factures: Chance fractures happen when your vertebrae are suddenly pulled away from each other. They’re almost like the opposite of a burst fracture.
Chance fractures vs burst fractures
Chance fractures and burst fractures are both types of spinal fractures. The difference is what causes them.
A strong force that suddenly presses your spine together causes burst fractures. This extreme compression on your vertebrae can break them in many places at the same time. Falling from a great height and landing upright on your feet is a common cause of burst fractures.
Chance fractures are caused by a strong force pulling your vertebrae away from each other. Instead of your spine getting compressed, Chance fractures happen when something pulls it apart. Many people with Chance fractures get them during car accidents after their seatbelt catches their lower body and their upper body is jerked forward. Always wear your seatbelt with the shoulder harness around the upper half of your body.
Stable vs unstable spine fractures
A stable versus an unstable fracture is another way a provider will classify your spinal fracture.
If you have a stable fracture, the injury that broke your vertebrae didn’t push or pull them out of their usual place in your spine. You still need treatment, but you’re less likely to need surgery.
Unstable spinal fractures happen when the injury moved your vertebrae out of their usual alignment. They’re more serious injuries than stable fractures. There’s a much higher chance you’ll need surgery to repair your broken vertebrae, and you’ll have a higher risk for dangerous complications that can affect your spinal cord.
Who gets spinal fractures?
Spinal fractures — like any bone fracture — can affect anyone. This is especially true for fractures caused by traumas like falls and car accidents.
Women, people assigned female at birth and adults older than 50 are more likely to experience spinal fractures.
You’re much more likely to experience a spinal fracture (especially a compression fracture) if you have osteoporosis. Once you’ve had a compression fracture, you’re five times more likely to develop another compared to someone who’s never experienced one.
In addition to osteoporosis, people with some health conditions or who take certain medications are more likely to experience a spinal fracture, including:
- Cancer (especially if you’re receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy).
- People who use corticosteroids for a long time.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Bone infections (osteomyelitis).
- Kidney disease.
- Anorexia nervosa.
- Vitamin D deficiency.
You’re also more likely to experience a spinal fracture if you:
- Smoke.
- Drink too much alcohol.
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How common are spinal fractures?
In the U.S. each year:
- Osteoporosis causes more than 1.5 million compression fractures.
- More than 150,000 spinal fractures are caused by traumas.
How does a spinal fracture affect my body?
A spinal fracture might make it painful, difficult or impossible to move the way you usually can.
You’ll probably need to wear a brace that holds your back in place while the fracture heals (especially if you need surgery). While you’re wearing the brace it’ll be hard to move as freely as you’re used to. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s important to give your vertebrae the time they need to heal.
Severe fractures — especially unstable fractures — can damage your spinal cord and affect your ability to stand or walk. This damage might be permanent and irreversible.
Can you walk with a broken back?
Depending on what caused your spinal fracture — and which type of fracture you have — you’ll still be able to walk with a broken back. It might be painful (or make your pain worse), but if your fracture wasn’t caused by sudden trauma, it’s likely you’ll still be able to move. You won’t be able to walk if the fracture damaged your spinal cord enough to make you paralyzed.
Even if you have minor symptoms, visit your provider if you’re experiencing back pain that’s getting worse or doesn’t go away in a few days — especially if it’s accompanied by swelling or affects your posture. Go to the emergency room if you’ve experienced trauma.
