Spinal fractures
UCSF Radiologist Dr. Hess describes pain from spinal fractures and UCSF Radiology do to treat them.
Pain from Spinal Fractures
- Fracture instability
- Inflammatory response
- Nerve Impingement
Altered spinal biomechanics
- Muscle Spasm
- Secondary disc degeneration/arthritis
- Predisposition to additional fractures
Risk Factors for Osteoporotic VCF
- Postmenopausal women > age 55
- Prominent thoracic kyphosis
- Loss of 2 or more inches in height
- Glucocorticoid therapy (≥7.5 mg prednisolone)
- Diagnosis of osteoporosis
- Low BMD
Management of VCFs
- Oral or parenteral pain control
- Monitored bed rest
- Brace or hyperextension cast
- Identification and treatment of underlying bone metabolic disease and/or tumor
- Percutaneous cement injection
