Signs & Symptoms of Vertebral Fracture From Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis itself is sometimes called the silent disease as it can advance gradually without any signs or symptoms. Vertebral fractures common in older patients are sometimes the first perceptible symptom of the underlying osteoporosis, a condition that afflicts 10 million Americans, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation.

Pain

• It can be difficult to distinguish symptoms of worsening osteoporosis from those associated with resultant vertebral fractures. Osteoporosis sufferers commonly battle chronic back and hip pain, and advanced cases can cause difficulty in standing up straight. Vertebral fractures as a result of osteoporosis often present in the lower or midback result from a compression of the weakened bone, and the chronic pain associated with a break can be misunderstood as a general symptom of osteoporosis.

Kyphosis

• Multiple fractures, whether they are diagnosed or not, can lead to a degenerative curvature of the spine called kyphosis. It causes tenderness in the spinal area with pain generally localized to the mid- and lower back. Often there is a perceptible roundness in the shape of the back with a humplike curvature near the shoulder blades.

Spinal Cord Involvement

• Rarely, osteoporosis patients who suffer from vertebral fractures may notice numbness or tingling in the extremities and even a loss of bowel and bladder control. This indicates that the compressed vertebra is pressuring the spinal cord.

Arthritis

• Osteoporosis inhibits bone regeneration, so vertebral fractures have difficulty healing. This leads to arthritis in the affected joint for some patients. Advanced cases cause serious disability, and patients suffering from arthritis as a result of such bone fractures are dependent upon continued care to manage daily activities.