Discovering the fact that fracture /# vertebrae is the commonest # of body, its incidence >the # hip, it becomes imperative to take it more seriously. With increasing life span there is more of aged osteoporotic population, more so due to sedentary indoor lifestyle and post menopausal osteoporosis. Diabetics, smokers & alcoholics are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis. I have seen such alcoholic patient developing six spine fractures in just three months time from a single fracture being on complete bed rest.
Stable VB # are normally treated conservatively with bed rest, strong analgesics, removable braces, a programmed progressive ambulation and physiotherapy. Fractures with > 50% of anterior VB collapse or > 20% of sagital angulations are potentially unstable and may require posterior instrumentation and fusion if not cemented in time. For burst # pedicle instrumentation with…
