Typically, children should not have severe back pain. If your child is experiencing severe back pain which worsens while standing or walking but decreases when resting, he could have a vertebral compression fracture from some type of trauma to the spine.

Causes & Symptoms

Vertebral compression fractures occur when the normal vertebral body of the spine is squeezed or compressed. The bone collapses when too much pressure is placed on the vertebrae, resulting in possible pain, limited mobility, loss of height, spinal deformities, weakness, numbness in the affected area and disability. In severe compression fractures, the vertebral body is pushed into the spinal canal which will apply pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. The symptoms which indicate multiple fractures in the spine are hunch back, bulging stomach, shortness of breath, hip fracture and gastrointestinal problems.

Diagnosis

Typical diagnostic tests for this type of spine trauma includes tests such as X-rays, MRI scans and bone scans to determine and confirm the fracture.

Treatment

Treatment for vertebral compression fractures can be both medical and surgical, all aimed at reducing the pain, stabilizing and repairing the fracture. Non-surgical treatment includes:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to relieve the bone, muscle and nerve pain.
• A back brace may be suggested to support the back and immobilize movement.
• Bed rest
• Exercises

If the pain still persists, minimally invasive surgery might be needed. There are two types for treating vertebral compression fractures:

• Kyphoplasty – In this procedure a deflated balloon called a bone tamp is injected into the spine. The balloon is inflated until it expands to a desired height. The created space is then filled with orthopaedic cement called polymethylmethacrylate. This procedure helps to restore the height of the vertebrae and reduces the deformity.
  
  
• Vertebroplasy – This technique involves injecting a cement material called polymethylmethacrylate, into the collapsed vertebra. The injected cement hardens quickly stabilizing the fracture, relieves pressure and prevents further collapse.

Prevention

• Teach your child some good techniques for standing, sitting, lifting and housework activities.
• Do not encourage your child to lift heavy things, jumping, diving, horseback riding, sliding and amusement rides.
• Ensure that your child wears an appropriate child restraint system or a seat belt while riding in cars.
• Make sure that your child avoids sitting at the back of the bus.
• Make sure that your child does not carry heavy book bags to school.
• See that your child exercises regularly. Swimming provides movement of joints without being stressed and is also good for back muscles.