Osteoporotic Spine Scholarly Peer-review Journal
Osteoporotic
fractures (fragility fractures, low-trauma fractures) are those occurring from a fall from a standing height or less, without major
trauma such as a motor vehicle accident. Vertebral compression
fractures are the most common type of osteoporotic fracture [1]. They often occur at the midthoracic (T7-T8) spine and the thoracolumbar junction (T12-L1).
Fractures may result in significant back pain, limited physical functioning and activities of daily living, and can lead to loss of independence, depression, and chronic pain. Osteoporotic fracture is an important risk factor for subsequent fracture.
As we get older, our bones thin and our bone strength decreases. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become very weak and more likely to break. It often develops unnoticed over many years, with no symptoms or discomfort until a bone breaks.
Fractures caused by osteoporosis most often occur in the spine. These spinal
fractures — called vertebral compression
fractures — occur in nearly 700,000 patients each year. They are almost twice as common as other
fractures typically linked to osteoporosis, such as broken hips and wrists.
Osteoporotic spinal compression
fractures are associated with significant performance impairments in physical, functional, and psychosocial domains.
Most are isolated
fractures of the anterior spinal column related to low bone mineral density.
Postmenopausal women and patients taking long-term
corticosteroid therapy are most susceptible.
The causative mechanism is a combination of flexion and axial compression loading.
It is important to exclude the possibility of pathologic fracture due to
malignancy or infection.
Treatment frequently involves pain relief, temporary use of an orthosis (e.g., Jewett/Lumbar brace or thoracolumbosacral orthosis) and walking
aids (e.g., stick, elbow crutches, all-terrain rollator).
Radiographic and clinical follow-up is required every 6 weeks for 3 months post-injury.
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