Understanding spine osteoporotic fractures

Case Sharing

In April of this year, Ms. Guan fell again due to weakness in her feet. X-rays did not see any new fractures in the spine. However, the 12th section of the previous thoracic spine collapsed and bending forward. They gave her painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs and ask her to go home and rest. After that, Ms. Guan found that the low back pain became more and more serious day by day. No matter sitting, walking, or standing, the low back pain could not be relieved. Even if the medicine was taken, the pain could not be relieved. The patient came to see the author in May. Because of her medical history and symptoms, it appeared that she fell due to weakness in both feet, and the patient herself suffered from osteoporosis, which caused her spine fracture after the fall. After detailed examination, it was decided to scan the cervical spine, thoracic spine and lumbar spine with MRI. It was found that the patient’s thoracic spine section 12 and lumbar spine section 3 were fractured. The thoracic spine section 12 was particularly severe, with compression, forward tilt, and compressing the cord (see Figure 1). The severe fracture made Ms. Guan’s low back pain worsened. The author referred the patient to a neurosurgeon for Vertebroplasty. After Ms. Guan completed this minor operation, the back pain that had troubled her for a long time almost disappeared.

The 12 thoracic vertebrae are particularly serious, with depression, forward tilt, and slight pressure to the central nervous system.