Symptoms:

Primary symptoms of osteoporotic spine fractures is pain at the site of fracture. Pain is more on weight bearing (sitting, standing, walking) and gets better with rest. There can be localized spine deformity at the site of fracture due to bone collapse. If part of fractured vertebra projects significantly in spinal canal, it can compress on spinal cord and can lead to symptoms of spinal stenosis (radiculopathy, tingling-numbness, loss of sensation and weakness in legs, loss of bladder-bowel control).

Diagnosis:

Osteoporotic spine fractures usually present with history of fall with new onset/ increased back pain. Sometimes there is no history of trauma and vertebral fractures occur with routine day to day activities. This happens as weak bones are not able to withstand body weight. There may be associated with spinal cord compression symptoms.

1. X-ray: As x-ray is cheap and easily available, it is usually done as first line of investigation. Also, x-ray is required to detect vertebral fractures. An osteoporotic spine will also show lack of calcium on x-ray.
2. MRI Scan: If patient presents with symptoms of nerve compression, or if a surgical intervention is planned, an MRI will reveal amount of spinal stenosis, affection of other vertebrae, and other underlying disease.
3. DEXA Scan: DEXA (Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is gold standard test to detect osteoporosis. A DEXA scan is useful as it will quantify osteoporosis , which will help in
   1. Classifying the grade of osteoporosis,
   1. Predicting risk of developing fracture,
   1. Assessing the need of treatment,
   1. Assessing response to treatment.
4. CT Scan: A CT scan might be necessary in cases where MRI is contraindicated (patients with pacemaker, ear implants, stainless steel orthopedic implants). Newer CT based tools are also available to detect osteoporosis.
5. Other tests to detect an underlying/ associated disease.

Treatment:

The aim of treating osteoporotic spine fractures is two folds, 1) treatment of vertebral fracture, 2) treatment of osteoporosis as it is a generalized disease and affects all bones. A vertebral fracture usually heals in position with adequate bed rest (3-6 weeks), bracing, pain medicines and calcium-vitamin D supplements. Gradual rehabilitation with step-wise weaning off of brace is required over a period of 6-12 weeks. Repeated x-rays are done at regular intervals to assess bone healing and to rule out further vertebral collapse. Majority of the patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures respond to this medical line of treatment. However, a subset of patients need surgical intervention. Following options are available:

1. Kyphoplasty/ Vertebroplasty: If there is progressive vertebral body collapse on serial x-rays or persistent pain on follow up, a bone cementing procedure is recommended. A needle is inserted in the collapsed vertebra and liquid bone cement is injected. This cement then solidifies within vertebra and provides internal support. This causes immediate pain relief and prevents further vertebral collapse.

• Spine Decompression and Instrumentation Surgery: A spine fusion surgery is required
  • If there is associated spinal stenosis from collapsed vertebra which requires spine decompression,
  • If vertebral collapse is severe that there is no space for the cement to occupy.
  • If vertebral fracture is causing spine instability.

In certain cases, a simultaneous vertebroplasty/ kyphoplasty procedure is done or the broken vertebra is reconstructed with metallic cage. One of the major limitation of spine instrumentation is poor hold of metallic implants in osteoporotic vertebrae. Various specialized spine instruments are used to get good hold in weak bone (cemented pedicle screws, HA coated pedicle screws, wires and cables).

It is very essential to simultaneously treat generalized osteoporosis also with medical treatment to strengthen other bones and prevent repeated fractures. Various medicines to strengthen bone (calcium, vitamin D), prevent calcium washout from the bone (calcitonin nasal spray, bisphosphonates) and improve basic framework of bone (Denosumab, Teriparatide) are used in different combinations as per the need of individual patient.