Most compression fractures happen in the front of the vertebra. When you get enough of them, the front part of the bone can collapse.MenuMedicalReferenceSlideshows&ImagesNewsReferenceSlideshowsQuizzesVideosQuestions&AnswersFindanEndocrinologistMedicationsWebMDRxSavingsCardOverviewSymptoms&TypesRisks&PreventionDiagnosis&TestsTreatment&CareComplications&RelatedDiseasesLiving&ManagingBoneDensityTestsDrugInteractionCheckerHealthyAgingLivingHealthyMenopauseOsteopeniaWomen’sHealthOsteoporosisGuideMenuMedicallyReviewedbyMelindaRatini, DO, MSonJuly30,2021InthisArticleHowFracturesHappenWho’satRisk?WhatCanYouDotoPreventIt?It’seasytothinkbackpainisjustpartofgettingolder.Butbecareful.Ifyou’renearingage60,itmaybeasignthatyouhavetinycracksinthebonescalledvertebraethatformyourspine.Whenthesesmallhairlinefracturesaddup,theycaneventuallycauseavertebratocollapse,whichiscalledspinalcompressionfracture.HowFracturesHappenSoft,weakenedbonesareattheheartoftheproblem.Compressionfracturesareusuallycausedbythebone-thinningconditionosteoporosis,especiallyifyouareawomanoverage50whohasbeenthroughmenopause.Whenbonesarebrittle,yourvertebraearen’tstrongenoughtosupportyourspineineverydayactivities.Whenyoubendtoliftanobject,missastep,orsliponacarpet,youcanputyourspinalbonesatriskoffracture.Evencoughingorsneezingcancausecompressionfracturesifyouhavesevereosteoporosis.Afteranumberofsmallcompressionfractures,yourbodybeginstoshowtheeffects.Thestrengthandshapeofthespinecanchange.Youloseheightbecauseyourspineisshorter.Mostcompressionfractureshappeninthefrontofthevertebra.Whenyougetenoughofthem,thefrontpartofthebonecancollapse.Thebackofthevertebraismadeofharderbone,soitstaysintact.Thatcreatesawedge-shapedvertebra,whichcanleadtothestoopedpostureyoumightknowasadowager'shump.Doctorscallitkyphosis.Who’satRisk?Twogroupsofpeopleareathighestriskforspinalcompressionfractures:PeoplewithosteoporosisPeoplewithcancerthathasspreadtotheirbonesIfyouhavebeendiagnosedwithcertainkindsofcancer--includingmultiplemyelomaandlym