Clinical Characteristics of Neurological Impartments Associated with Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, we conducted a multicenter prospective study of osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF)-induced neurological impairments to clarify their epidemiological characteristics.

Methods: This study investigated 108 cases treated for neurological impairments resulting from OVF. We analyzed the vertebral level of OVF, location of the stenosis, presence of a traumatic event, pathology of neurological impairment, and presence of delayed neurological deficits.

Results: The findings of the study indicates that, neurological impairments due to OVF were more common at the middle and lower levels of the lumbar spine, not in the thoracolumbar junction. In addition, more than 1/3 of all cases had no traumatic event and foraminal stenosis. Furthermore, more than half of the cases had delayed neurological deficits caused by OVF.

Conclusions: The present study revealed that neurological impairments associated with OVF were more frequent in the middle and lower lumbar spine. Foraminal stenosis due to OVF causing neurological impairments was not uncommon. In addition, cases with no traumatic event and delayed neurological deficits were not rare. Recognition of the clinical characteristics will enable appropriate diagnosis and treatment of neurological impairments associated with OVF.