Effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine for traumatic multiple spinal compression fractures: A case report

Vertebral compression fractures, typically caused by trauma or osteoporosis, are generally treated through conservative care, including absolute bed rest and thoracolumbosacral orthosis. However, prolonged bed rest can lead to muscle atrophy, functional impairment, and reduced quality of life. Thus, alternative management approaches for spinal compression fractures are needed. Few reports have examined the effectiveness of integrative Korean medicine treatment in patients with traumatic multiple compression fractures. This case report describes a 51-year-old Korean male patient who presented to our hospital with thoracolumbar pain following a traffic accident. While initial radiographic examinations revealed only a few fractures, subsequent magnetic resonance imaging identified multiple compression fractures at seven vertebral levels: T3, T4, T5, T9, T12, L1, and L2. The patient underwent integrative Korean medicine treatment, consisting of acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, moxibustion, and interferential current therapy, across two hospitalizations and outpatient follow-up visits. During the course of treatment, the patient's numeric rating scale score decreased from 7 to 0, the Oswestry Disability Index score improved from 60 to 2, and the EQ-5D score increased from 0.48 to 1.0. Moreover, the lumbar spine range of motion returned to normal levels. This report presents a rare example of a patient with traumatic multiple spinal compression fractures who showed significant analgesia and functional improvement with integrative Korean medicine treatment alone, without the need for absolute bed rest or thoracolumbosacral orthosis. Thus, Korean medicine-based approaches may serve as useful and effective treatment strategies for providing conservative care while minimizing complications associated with prolonged bed rest.