Delayed Subsequent Refracture of a Thoracolumbar Vertebral Compression Fracture.
10.4235/jkgs.2009.13.2.101
- Author:
Bo Ram KIM
1
;
In Sik LEE
;
Seong Eun KOH
;
Se Won KIM
;
Seung Beom KIM
;
Seon Yu KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Medical Center and School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdlis@nate.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Compression fractures;
Thoracolumbar;
Subsequent refracture
- MeSH:
Aged;
Follow-Up Studies;
Fractures, Compression;
Humans;
Inpatients;
Quality of Life;
Spinal Canal;
Spine
- From:Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society
2009;13(2):101-105
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Most patients experiencing an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture remain asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic. However, a notable number of these patients do experience significant pain at some time resulting in disability and decreased quality of life. A 77-year-old man was admitted to a hospital with severe thoracolumbar pain and functional disabilities even though, 12 months ago, he had received inpatient treatment for 6 months in another hospital with the diagnosis of T12 vertebral compression fracture. Although initial outside spine MRI revealed a stable T12 com pression fracture with a 27.6% compression rate, delayed subsequent re-fracture of the same vertebrae was found on simple X-ray and thoracolumbar CT scan with an 86.5% compression rate and retropulsion to the central spinal canal. He continued to have severe spinal pain and functional disabilities in spite of undergoing a first anterolateral fusion one year ago and a subsequent posterior fusion. We emphasize a proper clinical and radiologic examination at one-year follow-up after successful conservative treatment of vertebral compression fractures.