Spine Fractures
SPINE INJURY & STABILITY
Spine fractures can cause sudden back pain, limited movement, height loss, or nerve-related symptoms depending on the location and severity of the injury. Evaluation helps determine whether the fracture is stable, whether imaging is needed, and what recovery plan may be appropriate.
- Back pain may worsen with movement
- Compression fractures can affect posture
- Imaging helps confirm fracture severity
- Care planning depends on stability and symptoms
Evaluation & Next Steps
- Clear severity assessment and next steps
- Supportive care and recovery guidance
- Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
Call: (702) 703-4340
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
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Quick Summary
Key takeaway: Spine fractures need careful evaluation because symptoms can range from stable compression fractures to injuries that affect alignment, mobility, or nerve function.
Evaluation usually focuses on the injury history, pain pattern, neurologic symptoms, imaging findings, bone health, and whether the fracture can heal with support or needs additional treatment planning.
Overview
What are Spine Fractures?
Spine fractures occur when one or more vertebrae crack, compress, or lose height. They may happen after a fall, accident, sports injury, or from weakened bone that fractures with less force than expected.
Why Evaluation Matters
Some spine fractures are stable and improve with protected activity and support, while others may need closer evaluation because of severe pain, progressive height loss, nerve symptoms, or concern for instability.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type, location, and severity of the fracture. Pain may begin suddenly after an injury or develop more gradually with compression-type fractures.
Sudden or Severe Back Pain
Pain may worsen with standing, walking, bending, twisting, coughing, or changing positions.
Limited Movement
Muscle spasm, stiffness, or guarding may make it difficult to move normally or stay upright.
Posture or Height Change
Compression fractures can contribute to forward posture, height loss, or a visible change in spinal alignment.
Nerve-Related Symptoms
Numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain traveling into the arms or legs may suggest nerve involvement.
Seek care now if…
Seek care promptly if back pain follows a fall or accident, pain is severe, you cannot stand or walk, numbness or weakness develops, or bowel or bladder control changes occur.
Causes & Risk Factors
Spine fractures can occur after trauma or when bone strength is reduced. The cause affects how the fracture is evaluated and how recovery is planned.
Common Causes
- Falls or direct trauma
- Vehicle or sports injuries
- Osteoporosis or low bone density
- Compression fractures from weakened bone
The fracture pattern, injury mechanism, and bone quality help determine whether support, imaging follow-up, or additional intervention may be needed.
Risk Factors
- Osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Older age
- Prior spine fracture
- Long-term steroid use
- Cancer history affecting bone
- High-impact injury
- Poor balance or fall risk
- Low vitamin D or bone-health concerns
Diagnosis
Diagnosis focuses on confirming whether a fracture is present, identifying its location and stability, and checking whether nerves or spinal alignment are affected.
Typical Evaluation
- Review injury history and symptoms
- Check movement and pain pattern
- Screen for numbness or weakness
- X-ray, CT, or MRI when needed
- Review bone-health risk factors
What to Bring
- Prior spine imaging
- Medication and steroid history
- Osteoporosis or cancer history
- Fall or injury details
- Notes about weakness or numbness
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on fracture stability, pain severity, imaging findings, nerve symptoms, bone health, and whether the fracture is improving or worsening over time.
Related care: Treatment planning may include pain control, bracing, protected activity, imaging review, rehabilitation guidance, bone-health evaluation, or procedural discussion when symptoms or fracture behavior require it.
Early Care
- Activity modification
- Pain and symptom control
- Avoid bending or lifting
- Prompt imaging when indicated
Bracing / Immobilization
- Spine brace when appropriate
- Protected movement
- Support during healing
- Fall-risk reduction
Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
- Guided mobility progression
- Posture and core support
- Safe strengthening
- Return-to-activity planning
Additional Evaluation
- Severe or worsening pain
- Progressive height loss
- Numbness or weakness
- Concern for unstable fracture
Recovery
Recovery depends on the fracture type, pain level, bone health, neurologic symptoms, and whether the spine remains stable during healing.
What Helps Most
- Follow activity limits: Avoid movements that worsen pain or stress the fracture.
- Use support as directed: Bracing may help selected fractures heal safely.
- Progress gradually: Return to activity should be guided by symptoms and imaging.
- Address bone health: Osteoporosis risk may need evaluation and management.
- Report nerve symptoms: Weakness, numbness, or radiating pain should be reviewed promptly.
When to Follow Up
- Pain is worsening: Increasing pain may require reassessment.
- New weakness develops: Weakness or numbness should be evaluated quickly.
- Mobility is declining: Difficulty standing or walking needs review.
- Posture changes progress: Increasing forward posture or height loss may matter.
- Recovery stalls: Persistent severe pain may need additional imaging.
Frequently Asked Questions
A spine fracture may cause sudden back pain, pain that worsens with movement, stiffness, muscle spasm, or difficulty standing upright.
Yes. Compression fractures can occur with minor stress when bone strength is reduced, especially in people with osteoporosis or other bone-health risks.
Diagnosis may include symptom review, physical exam, neurologic screening, and imaging such as X-ray, CT, or MRI depending on the situation.
No. Many stable fractures are managed with support, activity modification, pain control, bracing, and follow-up. Additional treatment depends on severity and stability.
Urgent evaluation is important if pain follows trauma, weakness or numbness develops, walking becomes difficult, or bowel or bladder control changes occur.
Recovery varies by fracture type, bone health, and symptoms. Follow-up helps confirm healing and guide safe return to activity.
Locations
LVVIS offers vein evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.
LVVIS West Side Consultation Office
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Consultations and vascular evaluations
LV2 Limb & Vascular Division
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care
LVVIS East Procedure Office
2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care
LVVIS West Side Surgical Center
6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Advanced vascular and interventional procedures