A fracture of the backbones, or vertebrae, can be a difficult situation for a patient to cope with. A healing fracture can often be painful, cause back stiffness and may cause symptoms to radiate into other parts of the body. Furthermore, it may be difficult for a patient to sleep and complete daily activities. Thus, prompt and proper treatment of chronic back pain after a fracture is necessary for a patient to achieve optimum recovery.
Oral Medications
A doctor will likely prescribe pain relievers to treat chronic back pain. Typically, a physician will first prescribe acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. In addition, he may prescribe a muscle relaxant if pain is not well controlled. These medications should be taken as directed. A patient should alert his doctor to any possible side effects that include excessive sedation, stomach pain, bloody vomit, bloody stools, dark urine or clay-colored stools.
If pain is not well controlled with acetaminophen, NSAIDs or muscle relaxers, he may prescribe narcotic medications, such as codeine or Hydrocodone. These medications act off receptors in the brain to reduce pain. Narcotics should only be taken for a short time because they can be addictive.
Physical Therapy
The American Physical Therapy Association states that physical therapy is effective for low-back pain, particularly when a patient has a fracture that cannot be surgically repaired. A physical therapist will use heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and massage to reduce muscle stiffness that can occur after a back fracture. Furthermore, the therapist will teach a patient exercises to improve posture, increase core strength and core flexibility. A patient should attend all physical therapy sessions to fully benefit. After a course of physical therapy, the patient should regularly perform home exercises to prevent worsening back pain.
Injections
An injection into the back near the fracture may provide relief if oral medication and physical therapy do not provide sufficient pain relief, according to experts at the Mayo Clinic. The injection is composed of a local anesthetic, typically lidocaine, mixed with a corticosteroid. The local anesthetic will provide relief for the first few hours after the injection, then the corticosteroid should provide relief a few days later. Relief typically lasts for a few months. Risks of the injection include infection, excessive bleeding and possible nerve damage.
