Unlike compression fractures, it's not just one part of the vertebra that's fractured. In a burst fracture, the vertebra is fractured in ...ConnectwithOthers:LogInorSignUpNow!ConditionsAllSpineConditionsAnkylosingSpondylitisBackPainChronicPainDegenerativeDiscDiseaseFibromyalgiaHerniatedDiscsJuvenileIdiopathicArthritisKyphosisLowerBackPainNeckPainOsteoporosisRheumatoidArthritisSacroiliacJointPainSciaticaScoliosisSpinalCordInjurySpinalFracturesSpinalStenosisSpinalTumorsSpondylolisthesisSpondylosis(Osteoarthritis)SprainsandStrainsUpperBackPainWhiplashTreatmentsAlternativeTreatmentsChiropracticDrugsandMedicationsMental&EmotionalTherapyMISSurgeryPainManagementPhysicalTherapySpinalBracingSurgeryWellnessErgonomicsExerciseWeightLossPainCommunityFindaDoctorResourcesClinicalTrialsExamsandTestsPatientGuidesSpinalAnatomySpineUniverseenEspañolVideoDirectoryExpertBlogsRecommendedBooksSpineSpecialistCenterVisitOurClinicianSiteJoinOurBackPainCommunityShareyourstory.Askquestions.Gethelp!SIGNUPNOW!Conditions›SpinalFractures›TypesofSpinalFracturesEmailPrintTypesofSpinalFracturesWrittenbyJasonM.Highsmith,MDEmailPrintTherearemanydifferenttypesofspinalfractures:Compression,Burst,Flexion-distraction,andFracture-dislocation.Eachofthesetypesoffracturesaredescribed.Othertermsyourdoctormayusetodescribeafractureincludestable,unstable,minor,and/ormajor.CompressionFracture:Thistypeoffractureisverycommoninpatientswithosteoporosis,orpatientswhoseboneshavebeenweakenedbyotherdiseases(suchasbonecancer).Thevertebracanabsorbsomuchpressure;ifthere'sasuddenforceofalotofpressure,thebonemaynotbeabletohandlethestress.Thevertebracanfracturethen.Awedgefractureisasubtypeofcompressionfracture.Withawedgefracture,partofthevertebra—usuallytheanterior(front)part—collapsesunderpressureandbecomeswedgeshaped.BurstFracture:Burstfractures(seeimagebelow)arecausedbyseveretrauma(eg,caraccident).Theyhappenwhenthevertebraisessentiallycrushedbyextremeforces.Unlikecompressionfractures,it'snotjustonepartofthevertebrathat'sfract