The back after osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures

Vertebral fractures and hip fractures are the gravest manifestation of osteoporosis and the mortality of patients with vertebral fractures is higher compared with healthy counterparts. The consequences of vertebral deformities are back pain, disability, inactivity and decreased vital capacity, risk of falling and reduced quality of life. Back pain may be caused by fractures per se or may be a result of loss of trunk height, hyperkyphotic and scoliotic changes in the thoracic and lumbar spine and hyperextension of the cervical spine and inappropriate stretching of ligaments. Back extensor strength is negatively related to hyperkyphosis. Trunk flexion exercises show a higher risk for osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures. For patients newly developed spinal orthoses could support the decrease of kyphotic posturing through recruitment of back extensors for provision of better dynamic-static posturing.