A compression fracture is defined as a fracture that occurs because of compression of the bone in the spine.
Most compression fractures occur in vertebrae that have been weakened by osteoporosis or other diseases that weaken bone, such as cancer. The fracture occurs when the bone has deteriorated to the point that it can no longer support the spinal column in daily activities.
While compression fractures can occur anywhere in the spine, they typically occur in the thoracic region, which includes the T1 through T12 vertebrae, or in the lumbar spine, the L1 through L5 vertebrae. They rarely occur above the T7 level of the spine.
Vertebral compression fractures can occur in one or more vertebrae.
Commonly, the fracture results in a wedged shape vertebral body, as the bone in the front of the spine column collapses and loses height, but leaves the back of the bone unchanged.
Symptoms of a spinal compression fracture can vary widely.
The first sign is often severe acute back pain that feels better with rest. The area around the fracture may be sensitive to touch.
Though rare, if the collapsed vertebra is compressing one or more nerves, pain may radiate down the path of the nerve, such as into the arm or leg.
Other common symptoms of compression fracture include pain when twisting or bending, loss of height, and a hunched forward position called kyphosis.
Mvunjiko wa mshipa wa mgongo (compression fracture) ni mvunjo unaosababishwa na mshipa wa mgongo. Mvunjiko wa mfupa wa msongamano hutokea katika uti wa mgongo ambao umedhoofishwa na ugonjwa wa mifupa au magonjwa mengine ambayo hu dhaifu mifupa, kama vile kansa. Mvunjiko wa mgongo hutokea wakati mfupa umeharibika hadi hatua ambayo hauwezi tena kuunga mkono uti wa mgongo katika shughuli za kila siku. Mvunjiko wa mshipa wa mgongo unaweza kutokea mahali popote kwenye uti wa mgongo, lakini kwa kawaida hutokea katika eneo la kifua, ambalo linajumuisha vertebrae ya T1 hadi T12, au katika uti wa mgongo wa lumbar, L1 hadi L5. Mara nyingi hufanyika juu ya T7 ya uti wa mgongo. Mvunjiko wa mshipa wa uti wa mgongo waweza kutokea katika uti mmoja au zaidi. Kwa kawaida, mfupa huo hutokeza mwili wa uti wa mgongo wenye umbo la mviringo, kwa kuwa mfupa ulio mbele ya uti wa mgongo unashuka na kupoteza urefu, lakini haubadiliki upande wa nyuma wa mfupa. Dalili za kuvunjika kwa uti wa mgongo kwa sababu ya mfadhaiko wa uti wa mgongo zinaweza kutofautiana sana. Mara nyingi dalili ya kwanza ni maumivu makali ya mgongo ambayo huhisi vizuri kwa kupumzika. Eneo linalozunguka ufa huo laweza kuwa nyeti kwa kugusa. Ingawa ni nadra, ikiwa uti wa mgongo umeshuka unakandamiza neva moja au zaidi, maumivu yanaweza kuenea kwenye njia ya neva, kama vile mkono au mguu. Dalili nyingine za kawaida za kuvunjika kwa mfupa kwa sababu ya msongamano ni maumivu ya kutikisa au kuinama, kupungua kwa urefu, na kukaribia mbele kwa kichwa kinachoitwa kyphosis.