A vertebral compression fracture is a partial collapse of a spinal bone, usually from osteoporosis, that causes sudden severe back pain. At PHI in Beverly Hills, board-certified physicians Dr. Faisal Lalani and Dr. Nadiv Samimi treat appropriate fractures with kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that often relieves pain within 24 to 48 hours. Timing matters, so prompt evaluation is important.
When Sudden Back Pain Stops You in Your Tracks
A vertebral compression fracture often announces itself dramatically: sudden severe back pain after a minor strain, a fall from standing height, or sometimes just bending forward or lifting something light. The pain is usually intense and localized, often making it difficult to stand, walk, or even change position in bed.
If this describes your situation, particularly if you are over 60 or have osteoporosis, you may have a vertebral compression fracture. The good news is that this is a treatable condition with rapid relief available through kyphoplasty. The important factor is timing: compression fractures respond best to kyphoplasty when the fracture is recent and the bone is still actively healing. The longer you wait, the more limited your treatment options become.
What a Compression Fracture Actually Is
A vertebral compression fracture occurs when one of the bones of your spine partially collapses. The vertebra fractures and loses height, often forming a wedge shape rather than maintaining its normal rectangular form.
These fractures most often occur in patients whose bones have been weakened, typically by osteoporosis. The bones become fragile enough that even minor force, such as sneezing, lifting groceries, or stepping off a curb harder than expected, can cause one to fracture. Many patients cannot identify a specific triggering event at all. The result is severe localized pain at the level of the fracture, typically worse with movement and somewhat better when lying still. Some patients also notice a measurable loss of height or a more rounded posture as multiple vertebrae compress over time.
Why Time Matters
Without treatment, compression fractures generally heal naturally over weeks to months, and the pain typically resolves as the bone heals. But the vertebra usually heals in its collapsed position, which means the associated height loss becomes permanent, posture changes may persist, the collapsed vertebra changes how forces transfer through the spine, and the risk of additional fractures at adjacent levels increases.
Kyphoplasty addresses both the pain and the structural problem. It stabilizes the fracture, which produces rapid pain relief, and it restores some of the lost vertebral height, which can prevent long-term postural and structural consequences. The procedure works best on fractures that are recent, typically less than 6 to 12 months old, where the bone is still actively healing and the marrow edema visible on MRI confirms an acute or subacute fracture. Older fractures that have completed healing in their collapsed position are typically not candidates. This is why we emphasize timing; the window for optimal results does not stay open forever.
When Kyphoplasty Is the Right Treatment
Kyphoplasty is typically appropriate for patients who have a vertebral compression fracture confirmed on imaging (MRI is ideal because it shows whether the fracture is acute or healed), significant pain not adequately controlled with rest, medication, and bracing, pain that has not resolved after a reasonable trial of conservative treatment (typically 2 to 6 weeks for acute fractures), a fracture recent enough to remain a candidate, and pain that is significantly limiting daily function.
For some patients with very recent fractures, conservative treatment alone is sufficient: the pain resolves over weeks, the fracture heals, and no procedure is needed. Kyphoplasty is most useful for patients whose pain is severe, persistent despite conservative measures, or limiting their ability to function. The decision balances the benefit of rapid relief and partial height restoration against the risks of any procedure, and your physician will discuss this with you frankly.
Conditions That Cause Compression Fractures
Most vertebral compression fractures occur in patients with osteoporosis, the most common cause, particularly in postmenopausal women and older men. Other contributing factors include long-term corticosteroid use, cancer that has spread to bone, multiple myeloma and other blood cancers, trauma in patients with otherwise normal bone density, and other conditions affecting bone strength.
The underlying cause matters because it shapes the broader treatment plan. A patient with osteoporosis needs ongoing management to prevent future fractures; a patient with metastatic cancer needs coordinated oncologic care. PHI focuses on treating the compression fracture itself, including related cancer-associated fractures, and coordinates ongoing management of the underlying condition with your other physicians.
How PHI Treats Compression Fractures
The first step is confirming the diagnosis with appropriate imaging. MRI is the most useful test because it shows whether the fracture is acute (still healing) or chronic (already healed), which determines whether kyphoplasty is appropriate.
For appropriate candidates, kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure performed at our affiliated surgery center under sedation. The physician advances a small instrument into the fractured vertebra, inflates a balloon to create a cavity and partially restore height, then injects bone cement that hardens within minutes to stabilize the fracture. The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes per vertebra, most patients leave the same day, and the majority experience meaningful pain relief within 24 to 48 hours. For patients whose fractures have already healed or who are not candidates for other reasons, your physician will discuss alternative pain management and coordinate broader bone health management.
Why PHI for Compression Fracture Treatment
Physicians experienced in advanced spinal procedures
Dr. Faisal Lalani and Dr. Nadiv Samimi both fellowship-trained at Cedars-Sinai, with extensive experience evaluating and treating compression fractures.
Affiliated surgery center
Kyphoplasty is performed at our affiliated surgery center under sedation and image guidance, an outpatient facility designed for same-day procedures.
Honest evaluation of timing
The most important factor in kyphoplasty success is appropriate timing. Some patients are too early and may resolve with conservative care; some are too late and the fracture has healed. We recommend the procedure only when it fits.
Coordinated approach to bone health
Patients with osteoporotic fractures need ongoing bone health management to prevent future fractures. PHI coordinates with your endocrinologist or primary care physician, and a bone density test is sometimes part of that plan.
Rapid scheduling
Because timing matters with compression fractures, we work to evaluate and treat appropriate candidates quickly.
Concierge, coordinated care
Single-physician continuity from consultation through treatment and return to activity. Patients receive clear guidance and transparent pricing at consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients experience meaningful pain relief within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure, though some experience improvement immediately after. This rapid relief is one of the procedure’s defining features.
The treated vertebra remains permanently stabilized by the bone cement, and pain at the level of the treated fracture typically does not return. However, kyphoplasty does not prevent fractures at other vertebrae. Patients with osteoporosis remain at risk for additional fractures and need ongoing bone health management.
Possibly, but it depends on your specific situation. Fractures that have completed healing typically do not benefit from kyphoplasty. However, MRI sometimes shows that older-appearing fractures are still actively healing, in which case treatment may still help. Even if kyphoplasty is no longer the right answer, we can discuss other approaches to your pain.
Kyphoplasty can partially restore height in the treated vertebra, particularly when performed on an acute fracture. It does not reverse posture changes from previously healed fractures. Combined with proper bone health management, it can stop the progression of postural changes.
Yes, when performed appropriately. Kyphoplasty has a strong safety profile and is routinely performed on patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure means recovery is typically straightforward even for older patients.
Most patients are discharged the same day after a brief observation period. Our affiliated outpatient surgery facility is designed for same-day procedures.
Most patients experience significant pain relief within 24 to 48 hours. Activity restrictions for the first week are typically modest, and most patients resume daily activities within several days, with continued limitations on heavy lifting and high-impact movement for several weeks.
This is one of the most important questions. Patients with osteoporotic compression fractures are at significantly increased risk for additional fractures elsewhere in the spine. Ongoing bone health management is essential and typically involves medication, supplementation, lifestyle factors, and regular monitoring. We coordinate with your other physicians to ensure this is addressed.
PHI is an out-of-network practice with all insurance plans, reflecting our high-touch concierge model. While PHI does not bill insurance, we can provide documentation to help patients seek potential out-of-network reimbursement for the kyphoplasty procedure. All pricing is disclosed at consultation.
Because timing matters with compression fractures, we work to schedule consultation quickly. Contact our concierge team and we’ll coordinate your consultation and plan of care. Call (310) 856-9488 to discuss timing.
Yes. PHI regularly treats patients from outside Los Angeles, including Las Vegas, Palm Springs, London, and other international locations. Because compression fractures benefit from prompt treatment, international patients should contact us as soon as possible.
Treatments We Offer for Vertebral Compression Fractures
PHI offers minimally invasive treatment for vertebral compression fractures. Your physician will confirm whether you are a candidate based on imaging, fracture timing, and your specific situation.
- Kyphoplasty, minimally invasive stabilization with rapid pain relief
Schedule Your Compression Fracture Consultation
If you are experiencing severe back pain following a recent fall, strain, or no clear triggering event, prompt evaluation matters. A consultation at PHI will confirm the diagnosis, evaluate your specific situation, and determine whether kyphoplasty is the right next step. Call (310) 856-9488 or book online now.