Spinal Curvatures in Older Adults

Question: Does osteoporosis increase fracture risk?

Answer: Yes. Osteoporosis increases the risk of vertebral compression fractures, especially at older ages. International sources report lifetime fracture risk related to osteoporosis at approximately “1 in 3” in women and “1 in 5” in men.

Question: What are kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty?

Answer: In appropriately selected osteoporotic vertebral fractures:
• Vertebroplasty: injection of “bone cement” into the vertebra,
• Kyphoplasty: attempting height restoration with a balloon followed by cement application. Some studies report significant reductions in pain scores and complication rates such as cement leakage.