Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

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Osteoporotic Vertebral fractures

Osteoporosis is a disease that is characterised by low bone mass, causing bones to be more fragile and likely to fracture (NOS 2014). The word osteoporosis literally means porous bone (strom et al 2011). More can be found out about osteoporosis at http://www.physio-pedia.com/Osteoporosis. One of the significant consequences of osteoporosis is fractures, it is estimated that worldwide that an osteoporotic fracture will be experienced by one in three women and one in five men (Strom et al 2011). Common types of fracture include wrist fractures, hip fractures and vertebral fractures (NICE 2012, NHS 2014).

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are a significant problem. The number of vertebral fractures in the UK in 2010 was estimated to be 30,994, this number is expected to increase by 17.9% by 2020 (Gauthier 2011). In America 700,000 vertebral fractures occur within the population who have osteoporosis (Kim 2006). The lifetime risk of a vertebral fracture in women over 50 is estimated to be one in three, in addition to this once a vertebral fracture has been sustained her risk of subsequent vertebral, hip or wrist fractures increase (NICE 2011). Symptoms of vertebral fracture can include pain, curvature of the spine, height loss, difficulties with ADLs, loss of self-esteem related to changes in body shape, and in cases of severe kyphosis respiratory and gastrointestinal problems (NOF no date, Strom 2011). In addition to vertebral fractures being linked to mortality (Puisto et al 2011)

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