How Can Osteoporosis Affect My Spine?

Given the prevalence of osteoporosis, it is not surprising that fractures resulting from the disease are quite common. In addition to other fractures such as the wrist, forearm, or hip, osteoporosis causes approximately 700,000 to 750,000 vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) annually. For people suffering from osteoporosis, VCFs can result from many different regular, everyday activities. Unlike other types of fracture associated with osteoporosis (for example, fractures of the hip), VCFs are less associated with falls. Bending forward, lifting objects, climbing stairs, and even seemingly minor movements like coughing or sneezing can lead to a vertebral compression fracture.

These fractures can happen to vertebrae in any part of the spine, and can vary in type. A wedge fracture occurs when the front or back of a vertebra collapses, while a biconcave fracture is the result of the central portion of both vertebral body endplates collapsing. A crush fracture means the entire vertebra has collapsed. VCFs can cause back pain, spinal deformity, impaired physical function, decreased pulmonary function, decreased lung capacity, loss of appetite, and sleep issues. As with many types of chronic pain and spine injuries, they can also decrease quality of life in many other ways, leading to anxiety, depression, and feelings of frustration and defeat.