Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for a "vertebral compression fracture." This is when a back bone, called a "vertebra," breaks by collapsing.
A vertebral compression fracture can cause back pain, often after a fall or after bending, coughing, or lifting. For most people, the pain will get better in 4 to 6 weeks. But people can have pain that lasts up to 3 months or even longer.
You might be waiting on test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment as instructed.
●Take all your medicines as instructed:
•Take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain and swelling, such as ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve). Acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol) can also help with pain. Make sure you know the right dose and how often to take any of these medicines.
•If you got a prescription for other pain medicines to take for a short time, follow the instructions carefully.
●Ice can help with pain. Put a cold gel pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over your back. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury.
●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Broken bones take longer to heal if you smoke.
●Eat a healthy diet with enough calcium and vitamin D. This helps keep your bones strong.
●Follow all the doctor's instructions about what activities are safe to do. It is important to stay active, but you might have to limit some types of activity or movement until your bone is healed. Increase your activity slowly.
●Once the pain improves and your doctor says it's OK, you can slowly start to do back exercises. You might need to work with a physical therapist (exercise expert).
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if:
•You cannot walk or control your bowels or bladder.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if you:
●Have severe pain, or pain that gets worse
●Cannot do your normal activities because of pain
●Have numbness or weakness in your arms, hands, legs, or feet
●Have new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Vertebral compression fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (The Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (Beyond the Basics)
