What’s the Difference Between a Herniated Disc and a Compression Fracture? Clifton Doctors Explain

Back pain can have many causes—but when that pain is sharp, sudden, and localized after a fall or minor trauma, it could be a vertebral compression fracture (VCF). These types of fractures occur when a vertebra, one of the bones in your spine, collapses or is compressed due to weakness, most commonly from osteoporosis, trauma, or cancer-related bone weakening.

What Is a Vertebral Compression Fracture?

A vertebral compression fracture typically affects the thoracic (mid-back) or lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. These fractures result in the vertebra losing height, which can lead to posture changes, chronic pain, and even difficulty breathing or moving comfortably. While osteoporosis is the most common cause, VCFs can also occur due to spinal tumors, trauma, or degenerative spine conditions.

Treatment Options for Vertebral Compression Fractures

At Garden State Pain and Orthopedics, our experienced physicians offer both conservative and advanced, minimally invasive options, including:

• Pain management and physical therapy

• Bracing to support the spine as it heals

• Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive surgical procedure

• Medication for pain and bone health

The right treatment depends on the severity of the fracture, underlying cause, and overall patient health.

What Is Kyphoplasty?

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to stabilize vertebral compression fractures and relieve pain. A small balloon is inserted into the fractured vertebra and gently inflated to create space. That space is then filled with bone cement to restore the bone’s height and structure. Patients often report immediate pain relief and a return to mobility shortly after the procedure.

How Is a Vertebral Compression Fracture Different from a Herniated Disc?

While both conditions cause back pain, their origins are different. A vertebral compression fracture involves a break or collapse in the bone of the vertebra, while a herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes out through a tear in the outer layer, often pressing on nearby nerves.

Herniated Disc Treatment Options

Treatment for a herniated disc varies based on the severity of symptoms. At Garden State Pain and Orthopedics, we offer:

• Physical therapy and stretching exercises
• Epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Medications such as NSAIDs and muscle relaxers
• Minimally invasive procedures, including the MILD® procedure and percutaneous disc decompression
• Spinal cord stimulation for chronic disc-related pain

What Is the MILD® Procedure?

The Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD®) procedure is a safe, outpatient technique used to treat lumbar spinal stenosis and herniated disc symptoms. It removes small pieces of bone and thickened ligament to relieve pressure on the nerves without the need for open surgery. It is ideal for patients who aren’t candidates for more invasive options.

Visit Our Clifton, NJ Location

If you're suffering from persistent back pain, whether from a vertebral compression fracture, herniated disc, or spinal stenosis, the team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics in Clifton, New Jersey is here to help. Our specialists are experts in interventional pain management and minimally invasive treatments that provide lasting relief. We’ll develop a personalized plan to get you back to doing what you love—pain-free.

Take the first step toward relief today.
Contact our Clifton office to schedule a consultation and explore the latest treatment options for back pain and spine injuries.