Spinal fractures

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

Acute back pain
Breathing difficulties: changes in the shape and length of vertebrae lead to the compression of organs such as the lungs, heart and intestine
Gastrointestinal problems: due to compression of abdominal organs
Only a minority of patients will have a history of fall/trauma

Question 2

Signs

Answer 2

1. Loss of height: vertebral osteoporotic fractures of lead to compression of the spinal vertebrae hence a reduction in overall length of the spine and thus the patient becomes shorter
2. Kyphosis (curvature of the spine)
3. Localised tenderness on palpation of spinous processes at the fracture site