Osteoporotic vertebral fractures

What are osteoporotic vertebral fractures?

Osteoporosis is a chronic bone disease that makes bones fragile, reducing their mechanical strength and increasing the risk of fractures for osteoporosis patients. In severe cases, fractures can occur even from minor injuries. The most common fracture sites in osteoporosis are the forearm near the wrist joint, osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the humerus near the shoulder joint, and hip fractures.

If a vertebral fracture occurs due to osteoporosis, it is called an osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

How does an osteoporotic vertebral fracture manifest?

Like any bone fracture, the primary symptom of an osteoporotic vertebral fracture is intense pain, usually appearing after trauma. In osteoporosis, even minor trauma—such as sitting down abruptly, tripping on stairs, or similar incidents—can cause a fracture. In some cases, the patient may not even notice the exact moment of injury.

What should you do if you suspect a vertebral fracture?

If you suddenly experience severe pain in a certain area of your spine, one possibility is a vertebral fracture. To confirm the diagnosis, you need to see a doctor for appropriate examination methods—most commonly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computed tomography (CT scans). In some cases, a simple X-ray may provide initial information about the problem.

It is common for patients to first learn they have osteoporosis only after experiencing a fracture—osteoporosis progresses silently, often without symptoms until a fracture occurs.

It is also important to consult a doctor because an unexplained vertebral fracture can indicate not only osteoporosis but other serious conditions, such as spinal tumors.

If you or a loved one has confirmed or suspected osteoporotic vertebral fractures, a neurosurgeon consultation is necessary. We are happy to advise you and find the best possible solution for your specific situation.

In cases where an in-person consultation is not possible, we also offer remote consultations via video calls. You can schedule a consultation online or by contacting us via phone or email. Remote consultations should be arranged by contacting us in advance.

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures – How are they treated?

Like any fracture, an osteoporotic vertebral fracture can heal on its own, but it often takes longer than normal bone healing.

There are several treatment methods for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, which may be used individually or in combination, depending on the patient's specific condition.

Pain management with medication

If the vertebra is only partially fractured and has not collapsed, and pain is manageable with medications, this is a viable treatment option. In cases of severe pain, pain relief injections (nerve blockades) may also be used. This approach is considered for patients who cannot undergo surgery due to health risks.

Treatment with orthoses (back braces)

Spinal orthoses (braces) are used for both non-surgical treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and post-surgical recovery. Their benefits include:

• Maintaining optimal posture to protect the spine from overload, prevent further vertebral collapse, and reduce the risk of new fractures.
• Providing additional stability for the spine, creating an optimal healing environment.
• Reducing pain and improving comfort and safety.

Depending on the location of the vertebral fracture, different orthoses are used:

• Thoracolumbar braces (TLSO) for mid-back and lower-back fractures.
• High or standard lumbar braces for lower-back fractures.
• Special lumbar braces for patients with large abdominal areas.
• Soft, semi-rigid, or rigid cervical braces for neck fractures (though these are rare in osteoporosis).

Kyphoplasty or Vertebroplasty Surgery

These surgical procedures differ in minor ways, but their core concept is the same:

• Under general anesthesia, using X-ray guidance, a needle is inserted into the fractured vertebra.
• Special medical cement is injected into the vertebra, solidifying within 20 minutes to stabilize the fracture.
• This eliminates pain and prevents further vertebral collapse.

After the operation, the patient can stand up within a few hours, and pain relief is typically immediate. Patients can go home the day after surgery to continue recovery.

Nutritional supplements for bone healing

Regardless of whether the fracture is treated surgically or non-surgically, it is recommended to take Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Vitamin D3 supplements to create optimal healing conditions.

What does kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty surgery mean for the patient?

Since these procedures do not require incisions or other tissue-damaging actions, they are patient-friendly and easy to tolerate.