Osteoporosis.  2014 Dec;12(3):91-96. 10.0000/ost.2014.12.3.91.

New Era of Treatment of Osteoporotic Spine Fracture for Nonorthopaedic Doctor

• Yang JY
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2314145
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/ost.2014.12.3.91

Abstract

As we get older, our bones get thinner and their strength decreases. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become very weak and are more likely to break. It often develops unnoticed over many years, showing no symptoms or discomfort until a bone breaks. Fractures caused by osteoporosis occur most often in the spine. These spinal fractures-called vertebral compression fractures-occur in nearly 700,000 patients each year. They occur almost twice as often as do other fractures typically linked to osteoporosis, such as broken hips and wrists. Recently, several reports have been published on the results of vertebral augmentation procedures and fusion. However, many questions have been raised about the amount of pain relief that can be expected after such procedures. Although these few studies have sparked some debates in the medical community, it is important to remember that many procedures have also shown significant improvement in relief in back pain from vertebral compression fractures.

Keyword

Spine; Compression Fracture; Osteoporosis

MeSH Terms

Back Pain
Fractures, Compression
Hip
Humans
Osteoporosis
Spine*
Wrist