Causes
Causes of Vertebral Compression Fractures
In a vertebral compression fracture, the bone tissue of the vertebral body collapses. This condition is commonly caused by osteoporosis. Vertebral compression fractures may also be attributed to a type of cancer called multiple myeloma, as well as vertebral tumors from metastatic bone disease.
Osteopororis
Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bones,” is a gradual disease that slowly extracts calcium and minerals from bones, causing them to become weak and brittle. Spinal fractures due to osteoporosis often occur while doing something that places relatively minor strain on the spine, such as opening a window or bumping into something. Advanced cases of osteoporosis can even lead to a vertebral fracture from routine activities that would normally not cause a problem, such as sneezing or coughing.
Kyphosis
Kyphosis is the extreme curvature of the upper back bone also known as dowager’s hump. The upper back bone (thoracic region) is normally curved forward. If the curve exceeds 50° it is considered abnormal or kyphotic. Because the natural tendency of the thoracic spine is to curve forward, a diseased thoracic vertebra will ordinarily crumble its forward edge first, increasing the kyphotic curve.[1] Kyphosis in adults is typically the result of multiple vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis.[2]
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a kind of cancer in the bone marrow that results from the body producing too many plasma cells. These cells build up in the bone marrow, invade the hard outer part of the bone and then spread throughout the skeleton, making bones fragile and prone to fracture.[3][4][5] Spinal fractures are present in 55 to 70 percent of patients with multiple myeloma.[6]
Vertebral Tumors from Metastatic Bone Disease
Vertebral tumors from metastatic bone disease can also cause vertebral compression fractures. Metastatic bone disease occurs when cancer cells breakaway from the original tumor enter the blood stream and reach the bone marrow, where they begin to multiply and grow.[7][8] This spreading process is called metastasis.[9] Bone metastasis is most common in the spine and typically results in vertebral compression fractures.[10]
