A spinal compression fracture is a collapse of the vertebra due to trauma or weakening of the vertebra. This weakening is often the result of osteoporosis, lesions from tumors or infection. The kind of trauma that could cause a spinal compression fracture in healthy individuals is usually due to suffering extreme vertical shocks. These fractures appear as wedge deformities when looked at in lateral views of plain x-rays. Acute fractures can cause severe back pain. Compression fractures, that develop gradually, through osteoporosis, for example, may not cause symptoms at first but may later lead to loss of height and back pain.