Incomplete bony fusion in patients with osteoporotic vertebral body fractures

Abstract

Twelve patients (1 male, 11 female; mean age 75.6 years) in whom during the course of treatment for osteoporotic vertebral body fractures, a vacuum phenomenon on x-ray films was shown in the fractured vertebral body were investigated. This vertebral body vacuum phenomenon in osteoporotic vertebral body fractures was seen in the transitional area between the thoracic and lumbar spine, and appeared at a mean of 2.3 months after the onset of the vertebral body fractures. It showed a predilection for cases in which to correct kyphosis during the fracture treatment period, extension exercises were undertaken and the patient remained supine in bed. With conservative therapy, including restriction of extension of the spinal column and prohibition of the supine position while in bed, the pain disappeared or abated. In half of the patients the intravertebral vacuum disappeared, and it tended to diminish in others.