High-energy trau

m a fall from a height or a car accident can lead to spinal compression fractures. The vertebral body cracks under great pressure. Compression fractures most commonly arise due to severe osteoporosis, a progressive loss of bone mass most often seen in postmenopausal women.

The vertebrae become brittle and can collapse even during normal activity, leading to a spinal compression fracture.Another cause of vertebral fractures is a metastatic disease. The cancer causes destruction of vertebral body, weakening the bone until it collapses.