Osteoporosis weakens bones, making them more susceptible to fractures, even from minor trauma.
Common Presentations
- Acute back pain: This is the most common symptom, often described as sudden and severe, localized to a specific area of the spine.
- Loss of height: Over time, multiple vertebral fractures can lead to a gradual loss of height and a stooped posture.
- Kyphosis: This is a forward curvature of the spine, often referred to as a “dowager’s hump.”
- Chronic back pain: Pre-existing back pain may worsen significantly after a vertebral fracture.
- Limited range of motion: The patient may experience difficulty bending, twisting, or lifting due to pain and spinal instability.
- Neurological symptoms: In rare cases, severe fractures can compress the spinal cord or nerves, leading to numbness, weakness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction.
Physical Examination Findings
- Tenderness to palpation: The patient may have localized tenderness over the affected vertebra.
- Loss of normal spinal curves: Kyphosis or other spinal deformities may be apparent on inspection.
- Muscle spasms: The surrounding muscles may be in spasm to protect the injured area.
- Limited range of motion: The patient may have difficulty bending forward, backward, or sideways.
- Neurological examination: This should be performed to rule out any neurological complications.
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