The Effect of Disc Degeneration in Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture

Lee, Kyu Sung

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Radiographic findings of vertebral fracture and disc degeneration in osteoporotic spine were observed
OBJECTIVES
We investigated the relationship between osteoporotic fractures of vertebral body and disc degeneration.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Lumbar radiographs of 46 osteoporosis patients with vertebral fracture, ages older than 50 years were analyzed. Disc degeneration was compared between the vertebral bodies with fracture and without fracture. Disc degeneration and BMD were compared between three (biconcave, wedge and crush) types of vertebral fracture. RESULT: Discs below the fractured vertebrae showed normal height without degeneration, and disc below the normal vertebrae was thin and degenerated. In the comparison of disc degeneration and BMD of three types of vertebral fractures, wedge vertebral fractures showed lower BMD and severe disc degenertion than biconcave vertebral fractures.
CONCLUSION
In osteoporotic spine, fractures of vertebral bodies were more frequently occured above a disc with normal height without degeneration. The vertebral bodies above a disc thined or degenerated were less susceptible to fracture. Fracture of vertebral bodies above the degenerated disc showed higher incidence of wedge fracture than biconcave fracture. Disc degeneration has definite relationship with the development and type of vertebral fractures in osteoporotic spine.