Vertebral Compression Fracture

Vertebral compression fractures are a type of spinal fracture that occur when one or more of the bones in the spine (vertebrae) collapse due to excessive pressure or trauma. They are more common in older people, especially those with osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to become weak and brittle. Osteoporosis affects about 10 million Americans, and 80% of them are women.

As the population in the U.S. ages, the number of people with osteoporosis and the risk of vertebral compression fractures increase. According to a study published in 2018, the prevalence of osteoporosis among adults aged 50 years and older in the U.S. was 10.3%, and the prevalence of low bone mass was 43.9%. The same study projected that by 2025, there will be 14.4 million cases of osteoporosis and 47.2 million cases of low bone mass among this age group.

Vertebral compression fractures can cause severe pain, deformity, height loss, and reduced quality of life. They can also lead to complications such as spinal cord compression, nerve damage, pulmonary embolism, and increased mortality. Therefore, it is important to prevent, diagnose, and treat vertebral compression fractures promptly and effectively.

Some of the prevention strategies include regular exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, smoking cessation, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption. Some of the treatment options include pain medication, bracing, physical therapy, and minimally invasive procedures such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. These procedures involve injecting bone cement into the fractured vertebrae to stabilize them and restore their height.