Compression fracture

Compression fractures are the result of "crumbling or smashing of cancellous bone by forces acting parallel to the long axis of bone. It is applied particularly to vertebral body fractures."

Cause / etiology

Fractures can occur to any bone when the compressive force overwhelms the ability of the trabecular structure of that bone to resist the pressure. This results in a compaction of the bone and lost height or size of the particular structure, most commonly a vertebra. This can be the result of a single traumatic injury or, in the case of chronic disease, multiple tiny compressions that occur over time. Under normal circumstances, healthy bone requires a significant fall or impact to cause compression, but more commonly, diseases that weaken the trabecular matrix within cancellous bone lower the threshold required to cause the bone to collapse. Spontaneous compression fractures appear to occur for no reason at all when a cough or a sneeze triggers the collapse. Essentially, the bone has become so weak that normal weight bearing is no longer possible. Conditions that can result in spontaneous compression fractures include those that cause osteopenia, or calcium loss within the bone, such as osteoporosis, metabolic diseases, metastatic cancer and lymphoma.

External links

• Fractures. compression - Information for patients from MedlinePlus (United States National Library of Medicine).