What does a Compression Fracture feel like?

Hello:
I can share my experience. I am 66, and 3 years ago at 63, I was snow skiing. I was hitting small bumps and having a great time. Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in the middle of my back, as if someone shot me! I slid to a stop and fell over, and struggled to breathe like the wind had been knocked out of me.
I managed to take some breaths, and after a few minutes could stand up. I managed to get back home and flew home the next day, with ice packs & advil. X-rays confirmed “ moderate T8 and mild T 12 compression fractures “.
I eventually healed after a couple months but no more skiing.
So my guess is you could have had a mild compression fracture but for me it was very dramatic!

Thank you for sharing. Your experience while skiing was very similar to what I felt 9 years ago. We were on vacation in Kauai and the sudden sharp pain hit me as I walking on the beach. Thinking about that day and the pain, it's similar to what I'm experiencing now. My PT also thought it could be a torn rib head - who knows. Did you heal without surgical intervention?

I did heal with rest and ice, thankfully. I did about 6 weeks of PT that focused on core strengthening exercises and gave me confidence again to move.

I just started PT again in hopes to strengthen my core and back muscles. But its a challenge - I just hurt all over.

@255anny My experience has been varied, and my various doctors have told me that's common. I woke up with severe back pain one day and went to the ER and was diagnosed with an L2 fracture. At that time, they also noted two older vertebral fractures that I didn't know were there, and I had no symptoms from those. If you're having persistent issues, it's beneficial to have someone else look at the actual scan. The written report from the radiologist is an interpretation of the scan, and someone else may interpret it differently. Hope that helps, and best wishes to you.

It’s hard to imagine the X-rays not showing if you have compression fractures of your vertebrae, they are usually quite visible, at least mine were. The first time I fractured was during a horrendous coughing fit while having bronchitis back in 2016. That was L2. In May 2025 I experienced T12 compression fracture, I really don’t know exactly when it happened, (probably during exercise) only that my back was very sore. Both L4&5 fractured at the same time doing a sort of lift and twist with a pet bowl and that was excruciating, and I KNEW they fractured, later confirmed by X-ray. I am a Prolia rebound patient, and am now on Tymlos. I feel for you, and anyone who has suffered compression fractures. It’s debilitating!

What test showed your fractures, X-rays or MRI? Thanks.

@daisy17 They did a CT scan in the ER, and a couple of months later an orthopedic surgeon did an x-ray. Same results from both.

In 2017, while shoveling a small amount of snow, I had what felt like a sharp "twinge" in my lower back. Fast forward to 2021/2022 where I am complaining of the same type of pain in my lower back. My rheumatologist (finally) said that there is a possibility I had a vertebral compression fracture that was causing my issues. X-rays and an MRI, showed past/healed fractures of L1, L3, L4 and T12. Only one of the four fractures gave me any pain to speak of, but that first one was a doozy; I couldn't lie down to sleep for three or four months and the pain was pretty excruciating. The other three were a total surprise and only discovered during other x-rays or CT scans. An MRI also confirmed the findings and revealed some bulging discs.

Although PT was prescribed to me for some of the frax, I have lost faith in that community and chose to try a chiropractor. It has been a godsend for me.

Cheers!

I will be 12 months out from a T12 fracture adter a direct fall on tile at my tailbone which jammed my spine up to my neck….took my breath away and could not get up….in hospital 6 days. 3 months later was still in severe pain. Went to neurosurgeon who said my fracture was getting worse as the height loss had gone from 30% to 50%. Was tested for OP which was at -.3 worse in n spine. Had a vertebroplasty done at T12 on Oct 3, 2024, but after 7mths I am better, but still have low to mid back pain late in day everyday. Ice is the only thing that gives me relief. Have a PT training me for posture, balance and some weights to strengthen my core. Do not wish to start drugs at this time. I am with you ladies as to the struggle with op and fractures. Pray we all improve with time!