There are many different types of spinal fractures: Compression, Burst, Flexion-distraction, and Fracture-dislocation. Other terms which may be used to describe a fracture include stable, unstable, minor, and/or major.
Compression Fracture: This type of fracture is very common in patients with osteoporosis, or patients whose bones have been weakened by other diseases (such as bone cancer).
Burst Fracture: Burst fractures (see image below) are caused by severe trauma (eg, car accident). They happen when the vertebra is essentially crushed by extreme forces.
Flexion-distraction Fractures: If you’re in a car accident where your body is pushed forward, you may get a flexion-distraction fracture. Your spine is made to flex forward, but if there’s a sudden forward movement that places incredible stress on the spine, it may break a vertebra or vertebrae.
Fracture-dislocation: If you have any of the above fractures and the vertebra(e) moves significantly (dislocation), you have a fracture-dislocation.