Osteoporotic spinal compression fractures

Overview 
Theory 
Diagnosis 
Management 
Follow up 
Resources 

Case history #1

An 85-year-old woman is being investigated for a chest infection. Standing and walking are painful, but are relieved in part by using walking aids. Her anteroposterior and lateral chest x-rays, as well as revealing signs consistent with a localised pneumonia, show osteoporotic changes with multiple wedge compression fractures in the thoracic region, with a marked kyphosis.

Case history #2

A 75-year-old woman presents to her doctor reporting non-specific back pain for the last few weeks. She does not recall any fall, but first noticed the pain after getting out of her armchair and standing still for more than 5 minutes.

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