Recovery time for lumbar compression fracture is at least three to six months, and it takes one and a half to two and a half years for complete healing. Generally, lumbar compression fracture cannot be completely recovered in one year. Recovery time is affected by the degree of the compression fracture, the choice of treatment, the patient’s physical condition and nursing care, and other factors, the specific time will be extended or shortened to a certain extent.
Common treatments for lumbar compression fracture include conservative treatment, medication and surgery.
1. Conservative treatment: If the degree of fracture and symptoms are mild, conservative treatment can be chosen, through massage, hot compresses, acupuncture and other methods of treatment of the diseased area. After 8 weeks of bed rest, the patient can wear a brace to get out of bed, and it will take at least three months to fully recover.
2. Medication: If the pain of the fracture is severe, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac can be used to relieve the pain as prescribed by the doctor.
3. Surgery: If the degree of fracture and symptoms are very serious, the fracture can be treated by surgery to cut and set the fracture site, internal fixation, and decompression of nerves and ligaments. The recovery period for surgery is about three months, and full recovery takes at least one and a half years.
When a lumbar compression fracture occurs, you should go to the hospital in time and choose the appropriate method of treatment according to different situations. During the recovery period, rehabilitation exercises should be carried out under the guidance of the doctor to speed up the recovery.