What you may notice
A vertebral compression fracture is a collapse in one of the spinal bones. It may cause a new focal back pain after a fall or even a minor movement, often worse when standing or changing position. Some fractures produce few symptoms and are seen incidentally.
Spinal bones, discs and nearby nerves
What could cause it?
Osteoporosis, injury, cancer and occasionally infection can weaken spinal bone. Muscle strain, arthritis and disc problems can cause similar back pain without a fracture. Examination and imaging determine whether a fracture is recent, stable and actually responsible for the pain; bone-health assessment is often important.
When to contact a doctor
Seek medical review for new significant back pain after injury, or pain with osteoporosis or a cancer history. New limb weakness, saddle-area numbness, bladder or bowel changes, fever or rapidly worsening pain needs urgent hospital assessment. Major injury or neurological loss is an emergency; call 108 if urgent transport is needed.
How interventional radiology may help
Pain relief, mobilisation advice, a brace when appropriate and treatment of the cause come first. In selected painful fractures, an image-guided cement procedure may be considered after specialist review. Unstable fractures, nerve compression or infection may need a different approach, including surgery. Cement injection is not a general treatment for back pain.
Further reading: detailed assessment and treatment options
Patient information sources
References are in English.
Educational information, not a diagnosis. The causes listed are examples, not a complete list. Tests and treatment depend on your individual assessment.