Spinal Compression Fracture Treatment Cost

Typical costs:

• Compression fractures caused by osteoporosis typically do not cause injury to the spinal cord, and can often be treated with pain medicines, such as Tramadol-Acetaminophen (Ultracet)^[2] , which for uninsured patients, costs $34 on average in generic form and $125 on average under its brand name. For insured patients, typical out-of-pocket costs include a prescription drug copay, of $5 - $50 or more.
• A doctor may also recommend a bisphosphonate, a class of medications used to treat osteoporosis, like Alendronate (Fosamax)^[3] , about $10 a month for the generic version or about $80 a month for the brand-name version, to help prevent further damage.
• Other treatments may include back braces or physical therapy. Per session, physical therapy typically costs $50- $350 for uninsured patients, or brings a copay of $10 -$75 for insured patients.
• Surgery is rarely needed but may be recommended to address severe and disabling pain that does not improve with other treatments. Surgery can cost $2,500 - $15,000, depending on the procedure. The two most common procedures ^[4] are Vertebroplasty, in which a doctor injects bone cement into a partially collapsed vertebrae, and Kyphoplasty, in which a doctor uses an inflatable bone tamp to expand the collapsed vertebrae. Kyphoplasty is the more expensive procedure, costing about $5,000 more. One study^[5] found average unadjusted inpatient costs to be $9,837 for vertebroplasty versus $13,187 for kyphoplasty and outpatient vertebroplasty to be $3,319 versus $8,100 for kyphoplasty.
• Surgery typically is covered by health insurance. For insured patients, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of a specialist copay, possibly a hospital copay of $100 or more, and coinsurance of 10%-50% for the procedure, which could reach the yearly out-of-pocket maximum.

• A doctor will take the patient's complete history and give a physical exam to see which movements cause pain or other symptoms. If the doctor believes there is a compression fracture, an X-Ray or other imaging tests will be ordered.
• Both Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty are minimally invasive, if surgery is needed.
• Orthogate.com offers a detailed overview of surgical and nonsurgical treatment^[6] for the condition.

• Many hospitals offer discounts of 30% or more to uninsured or cash-paying patients. At St. Joseph Hospital^[7] in Orange, CA, for example, patients without health insurance may qualify for a 45% discount off billed charges. They'll also be offered an additional 10% discount if payment is made within 10 days of receiving a bill.
• Some free clinics, such as Community Health Free Clinic^[8] in Chicago, provide orthopedic or neurological specialty care. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services^[9] posts a directory of federally funded health centers; if the nearest clinic doesn't offer orthopedic care, ask for a referral.

• The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery offers an orthopedic surgeon finder^[10] by city, state or zip code. The American Board of Podiatric Surgery offers a doctor locator^[11] . And the American Osteopathic Academy of Sports Medicine also offers a doctor locator^[12] ; it is important to check board certification.
• Healthwise offers a checklist ^[13] of questions patients can ask doctors while considering treatment.

1.  www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/spinal-compression-fractures-treatments
2.  www.rxlist.com/ultracet-drug.htm
3.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000018/
4.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vertebro
5.  www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21546460
6.  www.orthogate.org/patient-education/thoracic-spine/spinal-compression-fractures.html
7.  www.sjo.org/For-Patients/Your-Hospital-Bill/Self-Pay-Discount-Program.aspx
8.  www.communityhfc.org/referals.htm
9.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
10.  www.abos.org/find-a-certified-orthopaedic-surgeon.aspx
11.  www.abps.org/content/resources/FindADoctor.aspx
12.  www.aoasm.org/find-a-do/
13.  www.sanfordhealth.org/Content/HealthInformation/HealthWise/media/pdf/hw/form_zm225...

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Do Botox Treatments Cost?		How Much Does a Flu Shot Cost?		How Much Does Teeth Cleaning Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Who is planning your big holiday event? A catering company may be able to help. Are you bringing a pet to the big family Thanksgiving? We cover the costs of pet air travel. November is Child Safety Awareness Month. Is your home baby-proofed? Be ready if the worst weather hits -- a portable generator means fewer power outages. Change the batteries on the smoke alarm the same time you set the clocks back for Daylight Savings.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

Bat bite Paid: 0.00 On October 25th I was bitten by a bat during mid morning, animal control told me to get the rabies shots due to the fact that several rabid bats had been found in the area... [more] -Rita W Rabies Vaccine Cost 7 stitches to shin Paid: 371.00 My son had 7 Stitches to his shin he fell in the woods and was cut by a old fence. They were super nice in and out, in about one hour. 155.00 for the visit and the remainder was for the Stitches ... [more] -Tavanna Stitches Cost 2 Car Garage Paid: 1700.00 Looks FANTASTIC! The guys done a fabulous job and did it in one day! Highly recommend! 615-739-2146... [more] -Chad Dunn Epoxy Flooring Cost Commercial Real Estate Brochure Paid: 200.00 Quick turn around time! 4 revisions with PDF and hyperlinks embedded. Website management available too... [more] [email protected] Graphic Designer Cost Fairly priced Paid: 0.00 My baby boy choked on some food this evening. While we were on the phone to the emergency services the blockage cleared. Ambulance was sent anyway to make sure everything was ok... [more] -Thank you NHS Ambulance Cost Ripped Off Paid: 46.00 I asked the nail technician how much for a full set. He said he will let me know as soon as he gets the nails on my fingers (WTH?) ... anyway on the board the price said $28 and up...... [more] -Kay. Manicures and Pedicures Cost