Treating Compression Fractures on Long Island
Treatment for Compression Fractures in Suffolk County, Long Island
Dr. Salvatore Palumbo has years of experience providing both non-invasive and invasive surgical options to patients suffering from compression fractures. Patients all over Suffolk County have trusted Dr. Palumbo to correctly diagnose the issue and craft a treatment plan to resolve the problem. You don’t have to live with compression fractures. They can be dealt with. Learn more below and contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Understanding the Many Symptoms of Compression Fractures
The medical practice of Salvatore Palumbo, MD, FACS has plenty of experience treating compression fractures. Compression fractures occur when an individual’s bones weaken and become brittle, which causes their vertebra to collapse. The condition is painful and results in a reduced quality of life. It’s most commonly seen in elderly patients with osteoporosis, but sports injuries, car accidents, and spinal tumors also contribute to this condition. So, how do you know if you are suffering from compression fractures?
Some of the Symptoms Include
Keep an eye out for increasingly intense pain. Even worse, the progression can be plodding, which means many of our patients don’t seek treatment until long after the injury occurred. Another thing to pay attention to: If lying flat on your back entirely or partially brings pain relief, but standing makes it worse, then compression fractures might be to blame.
Patients with osteoporosis experience height loss. It is rare for this to happen in young and otherwise healthy individuals. However, reduced height is a noticeable and prominent symptom of osteoporosis-caused compression fractures.
If you can’t bend or twist your body without pain, you may be suffering from compression fractures. Unfortunately, the inability to bend and twist also signifies a myriad of back-related conditions, such as spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, so this shouldn’t be treated as the sole indication of a compression fracture.
Stooped posture is also called kyphosis. Kyphosis occurs when the front of your vertebra isn’t as tall, but the rear remains the same. It accompanies osteoporosis. Compression fractures are a leading cause of kyphosis and will only cause more damage if left untreated.
Numbness and tingling sensations around your spine, neck, or shoulders could indicate a variety of issues. Compression fractures are one of them. Two or more indicators of compression fractures can give you a clearer picture of what’s going on and aid Dr. Palumbo’s diagnosis.
While muscle weakness doesn’t always mean you’re suffering from a compression fracture, it can be a leading factor in the loss of strength. Either way, it isn’t wise to ignore this symptom. Undergoing tests is the best way to determine the cause of this symptom.
Pay attention to any pain occurring as you walk. Does it seem to originate near the spine? If so, you may be suffering from compression fractures. However, there is no clear way to know without scheduling an appointment with Salvatore Palumbo, MD, FACS.
Bowel and bladder misfunction should not be ignored. If you’re suffering from any of the above symptoms and you’re experiencing bowel and bladder issues on top of them, then it is time to contact Dr. Palumbo for professional medical advice.
Car accidents and sports injuries are leading causes of this symptom. Sudden and debilitating back pain prevents you from enjoying life or working, so it is vital to contact Dr. Palumbo immediately. He’ll get to the bottom of the issue and devise a plan moving forward.
Diagnosing Compression Fractures
Dr. Palumbo uses a variety of techniques to diagnose his patients. A diagnosis of compression fractures is reached with a physical examination and careful questioning of the patient, as well as a battery of medical tests. He may order a computed tomography (CT scan), X-rays, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests enable Dr. Palumbo to get a closer look. Once the appropriate testing is done, he’s able to diagnose you. From there, he can begin treatment.
To learn more about the surgical procedures associated with compression fracture treatment, schedule an appointment with Salvatore Palumbo, MD, FACS today.