Compression fracture precautions

If you have a vertebral compression fracture (or you're at high risk for one), your care team may recommend specific movement precautions. The main goal is avoiding excessive forward bending (spinal flexion), twisting under load, and heavy lifting, especially combining bending and twisting together, since these movements put more compressive stress on the front of the vertebral body where compression fractures happen.

In practice, this often means learning to hip-hinge instead of bending from the spine, logrolling to get out of bed rather than sitting straight up, avoiding toe-touches or sit-ups, and being cautious with high-impact or jarring activities. Some people are also advised to avoid heavy lifting away from the body. These are general principles; your doctor or physical therapist will tailor specifics to your situation.

Precautions are usually temporary while a fracture heals, but good body mechanics, like hinging at the hips and keeping a neutral spine, are worth keeping long-term if you have osteoporosis or a prior fracture. Posture training, core stability work, and back extensor strengthening, guided by a qualified professional, can help support the spine over time. Always check with your prescriber or physical therapist before starting new exercise after a fracture.