Compression Fractures

jsewell · #1 (**permalink**) 06-14-2012, 06:28 PM

Hi , my recent MRI of my lumbar spine showed what they called chronic compression fractures. One at L2 and a new one at L4. Both areas are fused. Not to mention a cyst, facet arthropathy , impingement of the L5 nerve route, narrowing of the spinal canal, , redundancy of the ligamentum flavum bilaterally and bilateral lateral recess narrowing.

My real question when i started this post was to ask if chronic compression fractures ever heal on their own? Can they cause pain when in a fused joint?

I am having surgery this summer, once again, to fuse L4-5 and put in some cement in the L4 fracture. I am not sure if my surgeon is going to put cement in L2 as well as that would require a larger incision. I already have had incisions in almost all of my back , one continuous scar from C4 thru L4 at this point.
My poor back muscles!!!
Thanks for anyone's help
Judy

karreymetris · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2012, 03:32 AM

Are you having a fusion? I really don't want to have one, but I'm not really sure of any alternatives. Thanks for any advice.

jsewell · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2012, 04:51 AM

Yes i am having another fusion. I am fused from C4 all the way through L4 at this point and on August 2nd will add L4-5 to the huge fusion . I have never been a candidate for ADR do to low bone density. so to stop the pain, fusion it is.
Judy

Maria · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2012, 06:12 PM

Judy,
So L4/5 isn't fused? Is L5/S1 fused? Are you still in a lot of pain? chronic fractures... I've not heard this term before tho that doesn't mean anything.

I'm a bit worried about my spine and hips as my PCP made a big deal about my osteoporosis and the fact that I'm not treating it but with this move preparation I've just not had the time to follow up on the denial for the Prolia treatments. I'm afraid fractures might happen to me if I don't get some treatment...

jsewell · #5 (**permalink**) 07-13-2012, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

Judy,
So L4/5 isn't fused? Is L5/S1 fused? Are you still in a lot of pain? chronic fractures... I've not heard this term before tho that doesn't mean anything.

I'm a bit worried about my spine and hips as my PCP made a big deal about my osteoporosis and the fact that I'm not treating it but with this move preparation I've just not had the time to follow up on the denial for the Prolia treatments. I'm afraid fractures might happen to me if I don't get some treatment...

My insurance company actually wrote a letter to my pain management doctor asking her why she is not treating my low bone density . She has written my many compression fractures as part of her reason for pain management.
I have a prescription for fosomax from my endo that i work for, but with all the new meds out there i don't think i will use that. He first talked to me about prolia. I have an apt in 2 weeks with my local endo and i will see what she has to say. I somehow am not sure it is ok to use something while your body is trying to heal from a fusion.
I am ONLY fused from C4 thru L4.
I can't seem to heal from compression fractures on my own so they will also get a shot of cement when i have the fusion.
judy