Discuss the basic epidemiology, presentation, investigation, management and prognosis of spinal fracture

Question 1

True or False?

Vertebral fractures are the least common fracture linked to osteoporosis

Answer 1

False

They are almost 2x as common as other fractures linked to osteoporosis

Question 2

Identify the vertebral fracture(s)

Answer 2

Question 3

What is the prognosis of vertebral fractures linked to osteoporosis?

Answer 3

In the majority of people, the fractures heal in 3 months without any complication

Question 4

How do vertebral fractures linked to osteoporosis present?

Answer 4

• Loss of height
• kyphotic deformity of the spine

Question 5

What are vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis also known as?

Answer 5

Compression fractures

Question 6

How do you investigate vertebral fractures?

Answer 6

• X-ray
• refer to investigations for osteopenia and osteoporosis

Question 7

Which demographic is most affected by vertebral fractures?

Answer 7

Men

(men:women, 13.8% : 11.8%)

Question 8

What does this X-ray show?

Answer 8

A vertebral fracture cascade

Question 9

How are vertebral fractures managed, and why?

Answer 9

• aimed at controlling pain with analgesia
• the fractures are stable

Question 10

How does pain present in vertebral fractures?

Answer 10

• thoracic or lumbar back pain after a minor fall
• some patients do not experience pain

Question 11

Identify the vertebral fracture(s)

Answer 11

Question 12

How are vertebral fractures identified on X-ray?

Answer 12

loss in vertebral body height relative to normal adjacent vertebra or relative to

Question 13

What is this?

Answer 13

Kyphotic deformity of the spine