Book contents
- Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine
- Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Pain Handbook Introduction
- Part I Introduction to Pain: Pain Signaling Pathways
- Part II Common Categories of Pharmacologic Medications to Treat Chronic Pain
- Part III Chronic Pain Conditions Head and Neck
- Part IV Spine
- Chapter 15 Chronic Neuraxial Spine Pain
- Chapter 16 Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Chapter 17 Sacral Insufficiency Fractures
- Part V Extremities
- Part VI Misc
- Part VII Adjunctive Therapy
- Index
- References
Chapter 16 - Vertebral Compression Fractures
from Part IV - Spine
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 December 2023
- Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine
- Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Contributors
- Pain Handbook Introduction
- Part I Introduction to Pain: Pain Signaling Pathways
- Part II Common Categories of Pharmacologic Medications to Treat Chronic Pain
- Part III Chronic Pain Conditions Head and Neck
- Part IV Spine
- Chapter 15 Chronic Neuraxial Spine Pain
- Chapter 16 Vertebral Compression Fractures
- Chapter 17 Sacral Insufficiency Fractures
- Part V Extremities
- Part VI Misc
- Part VII Adjunctive Therapy
- Index
- References
Summary
Vertebral compression fractures are characterized by a break in the vertebrae comprising the spinal column, most likely on the anterior side and most commonly occurring when the osseous matrix has been weakened. The high morbidity and mortality associated with VCFs have given rise to an estimated annual medical cost of $13.8 billion in the United States alone. Prevention includes screening at-risk individuals’ bone marrow density and augmenting individuals with decreased bone density with bisphosphonates or RANK ligand inhibitors. The management of VCFs has been heavily debated with arguments for both conservative management and invasive augmentation through vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. Invasive management should be considered in patients with uncontrolled pain, significant vertebral misalignment, and height deformities.
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- Information
- Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine , pp. 107 - 118Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023