With a compression fracture, the vertebral body (round, cylindrical portion) cracks or collapses. A compression fracture can occur when the force exerted on the spine is too great or the strength of the bone has been compromised by disease or age.
Osteoporosis, cancer, and long-term use of steroids or other drugs can decrease bone mass, increasing the risk for fracture. When multiple compression fractures occur, loss of height or spinal deformities such as a dowager’s hump may result.
Sudden onset of back pain, out of proportion to the activity at hand, may indicate a compression fracture. Patients with osteoporosis are especially vulnerable; everyday activities like bending over or lifting a bag of groceries can cause the vertebra to fracture or collapse. Unfortunately, compression fractures tend to be under-reported and under-diagnosed primarily because they are not always painful.
Many patients mistakenly attribute the pain of compression fractures to aging or “a bad back.” Compression fractures can be easily confused with other back problems, so it’s important to obtain a diagnosis and receive treatment.
CT Scan demonstrating L1 Compression Fracture
Just one fracture can disrupt the alignment of the spinal column and put stress on adjacent vertebrae, thereby increasing the risk for another fracture. Left untreated, the broken vertebra will eventually heal in its fractured position. Dr. Stieber’s approach involves medical management of the underlying disorder (e.g., osteoporosis) in addition to repair of the broken bone.
Two minimally-invasive procedures that can alleviate the pain of compression fractures are vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty. Both techniques involve the injection of bone cement into the vertebra to stabilize the fracture. Vertebroplasty “sets” the vertebra in its fractured position; balloon kyphoplasty uses orthopaedic balloons to return the vertebra to its original shape (when possible) before stabilizing the fracture with bone cement.
Dr. Stieber! I have no words to thank you enough. Thank you for changing my life. God bless you, your hands and your family. I’m so happy God put you in my way. You are the best surgeon in the world.
Dr stieber corrected previous 2 surgeries that did not take. I had a L4-L5 fusion He is professional and listens to the patient feedback. I should have started with him from the get go – gold standard in todays medicine.
I wanted to personally write to you as well as Bethany, Nancy, and Jennifer, to thank you so much. Not to sound overly dramatic but living with that pain for years, then having that surgery end of Nov. and feeling like a new person- you certainly changed my life! I know I’ve said this befor...
Thanks to you I can lift my toddler without any issues- thank you from the bottom of my heart.
No words can covey how grateful I am for your care and expertise, but I will try. You are not just a world-class surgeon, you are a world-class human being. The level of care and professionalism from you and your staff has placed me on a faster track to recovery than I ever thought possible.
Dr Stieber fixed me from extreme pain and has such a great way about him. I’ve got nothing but the best to say about him and his team. I am a new person and my recovery was very quick due to his work. After 3 weeks, I was back in the gym doing light workouts. The man is great!
Dr. Stieber performed a MIS TLIF at L4 / L5 in January 2015. At a year and a half, I am pain free and doing well. The man is a life saver. I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone experiencing back pain.
I am a 69 year old male, who up until 5 years ago, walked 3-5 miles per day. Lower back pain became such an issue that I could hardly walk 100 feet before I had to stop. After consulting with 5 different neurosurgeons, with no positive results, Dr. Stieber was referred to me by a friend. I met wi...
Dr Stieber changed my life, I went from being in constant pain to no pain at all and from being almost unable to work to working full time. The surgery was surprisingly almost painless and my recovery quick, His staff always was available to speak to me when I had questions or concerns and were v...
I have been in pain for over a decade. I no longer am. Dr. Stieber changed my life.
I am so grateful for your help–I wouldn’t be progressing towards a brighter future otherwise.
Thanks for putting me back together.
Thank you for working wonders and giving me my mom back. I cannot thank you enough.
You operated on my spine and enabled me to walk again — which is no small thing. I want you to know that even though a year has passed (88 in my case). I will remember you not only as a fine surgeon but as an impeccable dresser and a real nice guy.
This is to express my sincere gratitude to you. May the good Lord richly bless you for the wonderful thing you have done for me. May you live long so that you help others as well.
From your ability to communicate complicated MRI images and medical jargon in a way that made perfect sense to me, to your honesty and candid demeanor, to your ability to empathize, and obviously your extraordinary skill as a spine surgeon…
This time last year I was in so much pain I could not enjoy the holidays with my family. You have changed that for me this year. Thank you is not enough. When I walk down the street and I realize I have walked more than two blocks without pain, I thank God and you, I feel great, you are the BEST!...
I thank you with all my heart and my family’s too. If it wasn’t for your wonderful gift of your hands I would not be walking today.
You identified my condition, arrived at a solution… and most importantly repaired my lower spine. Every morning when I arise pain free, know that I am so very grateful to you and your skillful hands. Thank you for restoring my health. Now I can begin to live again.
I have been sciatica free for almost 7 months. I can stand without having to sit right away. It has changed my life.
I would like to take this time to truly thank you for the hard work and dedication in helping me reach some semblance of normalcy. No words can express how grateful I am. You all have demonstrated the true meaning of PATIENT CARE.
Dr. Stieber and his entire staff are the best. From scheduling, appointments, surgery and post op, they are top notch. Doctor Stieber is a very smart and a highly skilled surgeon.
I’m living a new life after the surgery. The whole team was impressive. Very responsive, clear and supportive.
Incredible team from the desk, techs, PA to the magical hands of the surgeon. Always trust a surgeon with great hair.
Dr Stieber performed a discectomy on a Tuesday. I was able to go back to the office the next day. i was told the pain would be reduced at least 95%. That was on the mark!
The manner in which you diagnosed my orthopedic problem compelled to write to you. When I came to your office on 11/19/20 after an exhaustive search for an accurate diagnosis, I had previously received three contradictory evaluations and various treatments and yet continued to experience progress...
I wanted to reach out to express my thanks to you for the past few years. You performed an L5-S1 decompression and revision on me in 2019 and 2021, when I was in medical school.
I was able to successfully complete my training, and am slated to begin neurosurgery residency at the Cleveland ...
Thank you for taking great care of me!
My deepest gratitude for everything you did to ensure I received the surgery needed, as quickly as possible; and by the best in the business.
Thank you just doesn't seem to express how grateful I am to you for giving me my life back.
NYC spine surgery specialist, Dr. Jonathan Stieber, provides his patients with the most effective treatment options available, all of which are tailored to meet your individual needs. With Dr. Stieber guiding your care, it is possible to say goodbye to pain and enjoy an active lifestyle once again.
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