Vertebral body heights refer to the vertical measurement of the main part of the bones that make up your spine. These individual bones, called vertebrae, are stacked to form the spinal column. Maintaining their proper height is important for the spine’s structural integrity, allowing it to bear weight, facilitate movement, and protect the delicate spinal cord.
Understanding Vertebral Body Height
The human spine is a structure composed of 33 vertebrae, divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx. Each vertebra has a cylindrical block of bone at its front, called the vertebral body. This body is designed to withstand significant compressive forces, acting as a load-bearing pillar in the spinal column. Between adjacent vertebral bodies are intervertebral discs, which function as shock absorbers and allow for spinal flexibility.
In a healthy spine, these heights are consistent within each region, contributing to the spine’s natural curves and overall alignment. Maintaining appropriate vertebral height allows for proper spacing between vertebrae, accommodating the intervertebral discs and ensuring that nerves exiting the spinal cord are not compressed. This consistent height also supports posture and enables a full range of motion, acting like well-formed building blocks that create a stable yet flexible structure.
Factors Influencing Vertebral Body Height
Several factors can lead to a reduction or change in vertebral body height, impacting spinal stability. Aging is a common contributor, as natural processes lead to a gradual loss of bone density over time. This makes the bones more porous and brittle, increasing their susceptibility to fractures.
Osteoporosis is a primary medical condition that influences vertebral body height. This systemic disease causes bones to weaken and deteriorate, making them fragile and prone to compression fractures, even from mild stresses like coughing or bending. These fractures commonly occur in the anterior part of the vertebral body, leading to a wedge-shaped collapse.
Acute trauma or injury, such as falls or accidents, can also directly cause vertebral fractures and subsequent height loss. Even in otherwise healthy spines, severe impact can exceed the bone’s capacity to withstand the force, resulting in a fracture. Degenerative disc disease, while primarily affecting the intervertebral discs, can indirectly influence perceived vertebral height. As discs lose water content and height, the space between vertebrae decreases, altering spinal mechanics and potentially contributing to changes in the overall spinal column. Certain medical conditions and long-term medication use, such as corticosteroids, can also contribute to bone weakening and a predisposition to height loss in the spine.
Impact of Altered Vertebral Height
When vertebral body height is altered, particularly reduced, it can lead to a range of clinical implications and symptoms. Compression fractures are a direct consequence of height loss, occurring when the vertebral bone collapses due to weakened structure or excessive force. These fractures can range from mild to severe and may occur even without a significant fall, especially in individuals with weakened bones.
Reduced vertebral height, especially from multiple fractures, can lead to spinal deformities like kyphosis, often recognized as a “dowager’s hump.” This forward-curving posture results from the front of the vertebrae collapsing more than the back, creating a wedge shape. This altered spinal curvature can cause chronic back pain, as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the back are strained.
Nerve impingement is another concern, as the reduced space between vertebrae can compress nearby nerves, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness in the extremities. In severe cases, this can even result in difficulty walking or issues with bladder or bowel control. A noticeable loss of overall body height is a common symptom for individuals experiencing multiple vertebral compression fractures, as each fractured vertebra contributes to a shortening of the spinal column. This shortening can also lead to hip pain if the rib cage begins to rub against the hip bones, and may even cause the abdomen to bulge due to compressed internal organs.
Evaluating and Addressing Height Changes
Healthcare professionals employ various methods to evaluate vertebral body heights and diagnose any changes. X-rays are commonly used to visualize the bones of the spine and can reveal changes in bone structure or a loss of vertebral height. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans offer more detailed views, helping to assess the extent of vertebral compression and identify fractures. A bone density test, such as a DEXA scan, may be performed if osteoporosis is suspected, as it measures bone mineral density, a key indicator of bone strength.
Addressing reduced vertebral height involves a multi-faceted approach.
Lifestyle Modifications
Regular exercise, particularly weight-bearing activities like walking, can help strengthen muscles and bones. Adequate nutrition, including sufficient intake of calcium and vitamin D, is important for bone health. Calcium is a primary mineral in bone, and vitamin D assists in its absorption.
Medications and Physical Therapy
Medications are often prescribed to help strengthen bones, particularly in cases of osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates, for example, work by slowing down bone loss and reducing the risk of future fractures. Physical therapy plays an important role in managing symptoms and improving function. Therapists can design personalized exercise programs to improve posture, strengthen core muscles, and enhance flexibility, which helps reduce stress on the spine.
Surgical Interventions
For severe compression fractures, surgical interventions may be considered. Procedures like vertebroplasty involve injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebra to stabilize it and alleviate pain. Kyphoplasty is a similar procedure where a balloon is first used to attempt to restore some vertebral height before the cement is injected. These surgical options are considered when less invasive treatments have not been effective.