Spinal stress fractures are small-sized cracks in the vertebrae that causes back pain. There are various conditions that can trigger the fractures.
Usual causes of spinal stress fractures
Overuse and overtraining
The spinal stress fractures often occur from overtraining. Excessive training can result to fatigued muscles up to a point that they could not support proper movement. This places stress on the bones that also end up fatigued and develop small-sized cracks or stress fractures.
Even though the stress fractures from overtraining are common in the leg and foot, they can also occur in the back. The spinal stress fractures are prevalent among female athletes who are thin and have irregular or absent menstrual cycles.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis involves weakening of the bone which increases the risk for fractures. The spine is the usual site where the symptoms of this condition manifest.
As the vertebrae weaken, fractures can develop from coughing, sneezing or moving in the wrong direction. The stress fractures can result to loss of height, chronic back pain and a stooped posture.
Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise, diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and bone-building medications can help prevent any complications and progression of osteoporosis.
Spondylolysis
Spondylolysis typically develops among adolescents who engage in high-impact sports. The condition puts an individual at risk for stress fractures in the lower part of the spinal column.
The management includes adequate rest, medications and bracing to allow the injury to heal. In severe cases, the doctor might recommend surgery to fix the bone.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on a spinal stress fracture is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to manage fractures including on the spine, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are located in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.