Back Pain and Osteoporosis Bone Fractures

Has a bone fracture been causing you extreme back pain? You're not alone. More than 80% of adults have low back pain at some time in their life.

While back pain is usually acute (short-term), back pain can often be chronic. When it is, it does not go away for weeks or even months at a time. A recent U.S. survey showed back pain in adults significantly affects their quality of life:

• 3 out of 4 end regular exercise or sport related activities because of back pain.
• 3 out of 5 five are unable to do some part of their daily activities.
• Almost 50% give up on sex because of back pain.

Why does an osteoporosis bone fracture cause back pain?

Back pain can be a sign that a compression fracture has occurred in the vertebrae -- the bones that form your spine. Soft, weak bones caused by osteoporosis are at the root of this problem. In fact, compression fractures in the back are a major source of pain and disability for women over age 50. Compression fractures in the back are also the most common type of fracture due to osteoporosis.

How does osteoporosis cause a bone fracture?

When bones are thin and brittle because of osteoporosis, the slightest activity can trigger a spinal compression fracture. That includes bending to pick up a small object or slipping on a rock while out-of-doors.

While most compression fractures cause no pain and are discovered because of an apparent loss of height, some fractures cause significant pain and disability. In more severe cases of osteoporosis, even coughing or sneezing can cause compression fractures that result in severe pain, deformity, and immobility.

For in depth information, see WebMD's Causes of Osteoporosis.

Do osteoporosis and bone fractures cause deformities in the back?

Small hairline fractures can eventually cause a vertebra to collapse. After a number of these small compression fractures, your back will show the effects.

Spinal compression fractures can permanently alter the strength and shape of your spine. Because the spine is shorter, you will lose height.

Most compression fractures of the spine occur in the front of the vertebra. This causes the front part of the bone to collapse, creating a wedge-shaped vertebra because the back of the bone is unchanged. The result is the stooped posture called dowager's hump.