Bone Abstracts

Incidence of vertebral fractures in the EU has been estimated in 520 000 for the year 2010. Clinical vertebral fractures cause most of the impact in terms of morbidity, quality of life and economic burden. However, even the sub-clinical ones are not neutral in these aspects. Unlike hip fractures, their incidence is less dissimilar across Europe. Mortality in the first year after a vertebral fracture is higher than for hip fracture, especially in the younger age groups. Vertebr...

Less than one-third of osteoporotic vertebral fractures are correctly identified and managed. This is due to a variety of reasons including lack of clear clinical triggers of who to refer for diagnostic spinal radiographs. However, there is increasing evidence for strategies to identify which older people have existing vertebral fractures. One such strategy combines four clinical triggers in a screening tool that has been shown in a large RCT to effectively increase appropriat...

Vertebral fractures are an important cause of pain and disability in osteoporotic patients.The main goals of treatment of vertebral fractures are to alleviate pain, stabilize the fracture, prevent new fractures and reduce comorbidities.Although vertebral fractures are frequently asymptomatic most patients will require analgesic medication for acute pain related with vertebral compression or chronic pain due to kyphosis and posture ...