Osteoporotic compression fracture

Signs & symptoms

• Acute onset of spinal pain following low grade trauma.
• Location of pain normally correlates with area affected.
• Curvature of the spine or a change in posture.
• Height loss.
• Muscle spasm.

Risk factors

• Age: 50 years or older.
• Sex: Female > male.
• Family history.
• Menopause.
• Low body weight.
• Smoking.
• Poor nutrition.

Refer for DEXA and follow advice from report.

N.B. In the elderly, fracture on XR is adequate to establish a diagnosis and DEXA is unnecessary unless monitoring of treatment is required (reference i-refer guidelines)