Even minor falls or trauma can sometimes produce a spinal fracture. The most common cause? Osteoporosis.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Paul Fuchs explains that osteoporosis can cause numerous problems --- among them spinal fractures. "And we do have treatment options for patients who are diagnosed with osteoporosis and we try to be diligent about testing these patients with bone density tests to see if the bone is weak."

Dr. Fuchs says that these conditions are due to osteoporosis often occur while doing something that can be considered relatively minor. "Like stepping off of a curb or stepping off of a stair, or bending over to pick up your groceries, you can sustain a fracture because of the weak bone. it doesn't take a high energy injury."

Dr. Fuchs also says that if surgery is required, then something called Kyphoplasty might be appropriate it is a very innovative technique that is very successful in treating spinal compression fractures. "We open up the balloons to restore the height and then we remove the balloons and fill the bone with bone cement and essentially what that does is it heals the fracture in just a few minutes."

This is a minimally invasive surgical technique and patients usually return home the day of surgery, or perhaps stay in the hospital overnight.

Because of the possibility of loss of stability over time following an injury, immediate treatment should be sought whenever a spinal injury is suspected.