Life Expectancy After a Compression Fracture: Risks, Survival Rates & Recovery

Compression fractures or vertebral compression fractures occur due to the collapse of vertebrae in the spine because of osteoporosis, trauma, and other underlying health issues. They can be a turning point in your health. Though the fractures themselves aren't life-threatening, they can significantly impact the overall health, especially of older adults which can affect life expectancy. So, what is the life expectancy after compression fractures?

This blog will explain the chances of survival after compression fractures and what factors affect it. We will also discuss how you can improve your quality of life after these fractures.

Life Expectancy After Compression Fracture

Though compression fractures or vertebral compression fractures themselves do not directly affect life expectancy, factors like chronic pain, added injuries, and reduced mobility can impact health and life span.

Survival Rate Following a Compression Fracture:

• Survival rates of people with vertebral compression fractures are lower compared to those of matched controls. 

• A study shows that the survival rate or chances of survival were 97.4%, 86.6%, 78.0%, 64.4%, & 59.4% at 1, 12, 24, 48, and 60 months respectively.

• Some research reports the overall survival rates for operated patients were 65.6% and for those people managed with conservative treatment at 4 years post-compression fractures were 51.9%.

Mortality Risks Following a Compression Fracture:

• Another study reports that individuals with compression fractures or vertebral compression fractures have a higher risk of mortality (death) compared to those who don't have fractures.

• Research shows that individuals who received kyphoplasty treatment were at a reduced risk of death compared to those who did not receive it.

6 Factors That Influence Life Expectancy After a Compression Fracture

The following are the key factors affecting the life expectancy after compression fractures:

1. Age: Younger people with healthy bones heal better compared to older adults, especially those living with osteoporosis.

2. Causes of the Fracture: If osteoporosis is the reason, it might indicate bone weakness which raises the chances of future fractures & complications that shorten life expectancy.

3. Severity of the Fracture: Mild compression fractures may recover with effective treatment, while intense fractures may cause chronic pain, mobility problems, and more injury risks, reducing life span.

4. Number of Fractures: The higher the number of vertebral compression fractures, the more the chances of death.

5. Pre-existing Health Issues: The presence of two or more chronic health issues like impaired pulmonary function can contribute to an increased risk of death. 

6. Proper Treatment & Management: Effective pain management, osteoporosis treatment, or physical therapies can increase longevity and improve quality of life.

Complications of Untreated Compression Fractures

2/3rd of compression fractures go undiagnosed as symptoms are often ignored as regular back pain. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to these complications:

Short-Term Complications

• Back pain, usually post a small movement or fall.

• Mobility issues like difficulty in standing, walking, twisting, or bending.

• Additional fractures in the wrists, hips, and spine due to extra strain on the surrounding vertebrae.

Long-Term Complications

• Height Loss due to excessive forward curving of the spine.

• Weight gain as reduced mobility leads to an inactive lifestyle.

• Risk of other medical conditions, e.g., weight gain can contribute to diabetes, respiratory issues, and cardiovascular disease.

• Nerve damage due to the narrowing of the spinal canal.

8 Best Tips to Improve Quality of Life After a Compression Fracture

Follow these measures to boost the quality of your life after compression fractures that help improve life expectancy:

1. Manage Pain

The first step to regain mobility and independence. So, take prescribed medicines (e.g., ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or muscle relaxants), cold or heat therapy, and acupuncture or massage therapy according to your needs.

2. Consider Physical Therapy

Physical therapy for vertebral fractures like stretching, aquatic therapy, or targeted exercises can help build flexibility and strength and improve posture. This aids in recovering from the injury and strengthening the body against further incidents.

3. Modify Lifestyle Habits

Add foods rich in vitamin D and calcium to the diet to enhance bone health. Limit alcohol and quit smoking as alcohol interrupts the calcium absorption process and smoking weakens bone structure.

4. Stay Active

Engage in practicing gentle exercises such as swimming, walking, or yoga and perform stretching to reduce stiffness issues and improve mobility.

5. Attend Regular Health Check-ups

Visit a doctor for the management of underlying health issues like osteoporosis that contribute to bone weakness. The providers help with bone density monitoring or medicine adjustments, preventing further complications.

6. Go for Surgery

In case of persistent pain, doctors suggest vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty.

7. Vertebroplasty

This is a minimally invasive procedure in which doctors inject a special cement into the affected vertebrae to give support to the spine and reduce pain.

8. Kyphoplasty

Though like vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty alleviates pain and stabilizes the spine, it includes an additional step that is inserting a small, inflated balloon to restore height to the affected vertebra and form a space for a special cement before injecting a cement. This reduces pain and improves posture and spinal alignment.

Symptoms of a Compression Fracture

Early detection of the symptoms can prevent the worsening of compression fractures with proper treatment. So, keeping a watch over these symptoms is crucial:

• Severe back pain, usually in the lower or middle back.

• Reduced mobility like challenges standing, bending, and twisting.

• A rounded or hunched-over-like back.  

• Numbness or tingling sensation in the back, legs, or feet. 

• Muscle weakness in the legs or back. 

• Height loss due to compressed spine.

• Tenderness at the fracture area.

Note: Some individuals might not develop these symptoms. Additionally, the symptoms’ severity may vary based on the extent and location of the fracture. 

Potential Causes of Compression Fractures

Knowing the possible causes of compression fractures can help prevent the risk of such issues. The common causes may include:

• Osteoporosis: A condition marked by the weakening of the bones, making them more prone to the risk of fractures. 

• Trauma or Injuries: Car accidents, falls, or other physical traumas that lead to extreme force on the spine. 

• Tumors: Non-cancerous or cancerous tumors that develop in or near areas of the spine can cause weakening of the vertebrae. 

• Sports Injuries: Some sports like diving or gymnastics which involve high-impact forces may contribute to compression fractures. 

• Age: With aging, the bones tend to become less dense which increases the risk of fractures.

• Low Body Weight: Individuals with a lower weight might have weaker bones which makes them more prone to compression fractures.

When To See a Doctor?

See a doctor if you have sudden back pain with these symptoms that don’t subside in a few days:

• Weakness or numbness

• A loss of bowel or bladder control

• A fever

Note: If you have osteoporosis, it is crucial to regularly visit a doctor as it is the primary cause of compression fractures.

4 Tips to Prevent Compression Fractures

Consider these tips to prevent a compression fracture:

1. Prioritize Your Bone Health:

• Take a Calcium & Vitamin D-rich Diet: Eat foods rich in vitamin D and calcium such as eggs, cheese, yogurt, mushrooms, tofu, and milk for strong bones. Consider supplements if required.

• Get Sunlight: Regularly get sun exposure for about 10-15 minutes to allow the body to produce vitamin D.

• Medications: Take medicines like Bisphosphonates or Denosumab under a doctor's supervision that prevent bone loss and promote bone growth.

2. Practice Regular Exercises:

• Weight-Bearing Exercises: Engage in weightlifting, jogging, and dancing to strengthen bones.

• Strength Training: Practice squats, bench presses, and lunges to improve bone density and muscle strength, enhancing overall stability. 

• Balance Exercises: Exercises like heel-toe walking, standing on one leg, or tai chi can improve the balance and lower the chances of falls.

3. Lifestyle Choices:

• Quit Smoking: This habit weakens bones and raises the chances of osteoporosis which can lead to fractures.

• Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive drinking can affect bone health by disturbing hormone levels, interrupting calcium absorption, and raising fall risks.

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight can be a contributing factor to compressive fractures as it causes excessive strain on the bones. 

• Maintain a Good Posture: Maintaining a good body posture can alleviate the strain on the spine. 

• Learn Safe Lifting Techniques: This can help avoid strain and pressure on the back that can lead to fracture risks. 

4. Seek Medical Advice:

• Get Bone Density Test: This can aid in assessing the chances of you developing osteoporosis.

• Attend Regular Health Checkups: Go for health checkups regularly to evaluate bone health and detect any issues. 

Final Thoughts

The life expectancy after compression fracture will depend on the impact of these fractures on the health such as chronic pain, added injuries, and reduced mobility. Survival rates of people with compression fractures are lower than those of matched controls. The individuals who undergo kyphoplasty treatment have a reduced risk of death compared to those who don't. So, with early medical intervention and lifestyle adjustments, you can improve your health outcomes.