A lumbar spine fracture is a break affecting one or more of the five vertebrae that form the lower back. These injuries range from stable compression fractures that heal with conservative treatment to unstable fractures associated with spinal instability or neurological injury requiring urgent surgical management. Lumbar spine fractures commonly result from falls from height, road traffic collisions, sporting trauma or osteoporosis-related fragility fractures.
Falls from height, road traffic collisions, sporting trauma, crush injuries and osteoporosis
Lower back pain, muscle spasm, reduced mobility, tenderness, bruising and occasionally leg weakness or altered sensation
Clinical assessment with X-rays, CT scanning and MRI where neurological injury or ligament damage is suspected
Pain management, spinal protection, bracing where appropriate, physiotherapy and surgery for unstable fractures
Early mobilisation where safe, progressive walking, core muscle rehabilitation, flexibility and functional strengthening
Stable fractures often heal within 8–12 weeks, with functional recovery continuing for 6–12 months depending on injury severity
Persistent pain, spinal deformity, delayed healing, nerve injury, chronic stiffness and post-traumatic degenerative change
Early assessment to determine fracture stability and neurological involvement is the most important factor following a lumbar spine fracture. Appropriate spinal protection, timely rehabilitation and progressive restoration of movement and strength help maximise recovery while reducing the risk of persistent pain, spinal deformity and long-term disability.
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Pain management, spinal protection, neurological assessment, early mobilisation where appropriate and breathing exercises
Continued fracture protection, increasing walking distance, maintaining limb strength and improving everyday mobility
Progressive bone healing, reduction of bracing where appropriate, core strengthening and improving spinal mobility
Increasing endurance, functional strengthening and phased return to work and recreational activities
Continued recovery of strength, confidence and function; ongoing management of any residual symptoms where required
Recovery varies according to fracture severity, treatment approach, age, bone quality and individual rehabilitation progress.
Driving should only resume once you can safely control the vehicle, perform emergency braking comfortably and have been advised that it is clinically appropriate
Most people benefit from physiotherapy to restore spinal movement, improve core strength and safely return to normal activities.
Many lumbar spine fractures heal successfully without surgery. Surgical treatment is generally reserved for unstable fractures, spinal deformity or neurological compromise.
This depends on both the severity of the fracture and your job. Office-based work often resumes sooner than physically demanding occupations involving lifting or prolonged standing.
Yes. Walking is usually introduced early, followed by progressive strengthening and low-impact exercise. Higher-impact sports should only resume once healing and spinal stability have been confirmed.
Residual stiffness, muscle weakness and reduced spinal endurance are common during recovery. Continued rehabilitation often improves symptoms over several months, although some individuals experience mild long-term discomfort.
Broken back, lower back fracture, spine fracture, fractured spine, broken vertebrae in the lower back.
Successful recovery following a lumbar spine fracture depends on restoring function rather than simply achieving bone healing. Progressive rehabilitation that combines safe movement, core strengthening, postural control and gradual return to meaningful activities provides the best opportunity for long-term recovery. If pain persists beyond expected healing, neurological symptoms develop or functional progress plateaus, early reassessment allows rehabilitation to be adapted and complications to be identified before they become established.
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People interested in this injury also find the following related rehabilitation guides useful:
You may also wish to explore the organisations and publications that informed this guide.