Broken Vertebrae Healed

My father-in-law fell and the x-rays/MRI showed a compression fracture in the L4 vertebrae. The doctor showed the difference between an "old break" and a new break. The doctors began preparing him for back surgery, but did a bone scan to check the depth of damage first. The bone scan revealed that there were no fractures or breaks....only an "old break," one of which the doctor had previously said was a "new break." Hmmm...well, it healed up in a hurry! Back surgery was cancelled from the plans.