Vertebral Compression Fracture: How to Care for Your Child

The vertebrae (or "vertebral bodies") are the bones that form the spinal column. A compression fracture of the spine means one or more of these bones has collapsed. Treatment helps the bones heal. For most kids, this includes taking a break from activities that stress the bones and following the health care provider's advice.

• To help the fracture heal:

  • Your child should avoid sports and rough play. 

  • Walking, stretching, and other gentle exercise can help. Encourage your child to be active a little more each day as the pain lessens. 

  • Your child can use pillows under or behind the back to improve comfort when sitting or lying down.

  • If the health care provider gave your child a back or neck brace, make sure your child wears it as directed. 

  • If the health care provider recommended physical therapy, be sure your child goes to all appointments.

• For pain:

  • If your child is not taking prescription pain medicine like codeine, it's OK to give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) as directed. 

  • Put heating pads or warm compresses over the painful spot. Wrap a towel around the compresses or heating pads to prevent burns.

• pain does not improve after 2 weeks

• the pain medicine does not help

• pain keeps your child from sleeping at night

• pain, numbness, or tingling (pins and needles) gets worse or spreads to a new area

• your child has trouble walking

How do compression fractures happen? Compression fractures can happen from a serious fall or accident, like a sports injury or a car crash. Kids with weak bones can get them from smaller stresses, like tripping or even coughing. 

How do health care providers diagnose compression fractures? Health care providers do an exam and order imaging tests, like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI. They might also do a bone density test. This test tells the health care provider if a child has weak bones.

How long will it take the fracture to heal? For most kids, healing takes 2–3 months. But pain usually gets better sooner, in 3–6 weeks. After the bones heal, some kids need to do special exercises to get their strength back. Kids with weak bones may need to take medicine to keep fractures from happening again.