Compression fracture

3 things to know first

1. It is a fracture of a spinal bone. It is different from a bulging disc.
2. New and old fractures can look different. MRI may help show whether the bone has recent swelling.
3. The cause matters. Bone weakness, a fall, or another condition may be involved.

What it is

The vertebrae are the bones stacked to form the spine. A compression fracture occurs when one of these bones is squeezed and loses some of its height, often more at the front than the back. It may follow an injury or occur with weakened bone, including osteoporosis. Imaging alone may not establish every underlying cause.

Why it appears on your report

An X-ray can show a wedge shape or reduced vertebral height. CT shows detailed bone structure; MRI can show bone marrow swelling and help distinguish a recent fracture from a long-standing one. The report may name the vertebral level, estimate height loss, and mention whether bone fragments extend toward the spinal canal.

How serious is it

Some fractures are stable and treated without an operation; others need prompt assessment, especially after major trauma or when nerves may be affected. The amount of height loss alone does not determine treatment. Pain, function, bone strength, and the imaging pattern all matter.

When to seek care urgently

Seek urgent care after major injury, or for a new fracture with leg weakness, saddle numbness, loss of bladder or bowel control, fever, or severe worsening pain.

What usually happens next

1. Confirm the level and whether the fracture appears recent.
2. Review symptoms, injury history, and possible bone weakness.
3. Discuss pain control, activity, bone-health assessment, and whether specialist review is needed.

A simple analogy

Imagine a stack of small blocks. If one block is pressed down and becomes shorter at its front edge, the stack changes shape even if the neighbouring blocks remain intact.

Further reading

• RadiologyInfo — Osteoporosis and Vertebral Fractures
• RadiologyInfo — Spine MRI