Question 1

what is vfa (vertebral fracture assessment)?

Accepted Answer

VFA: The process of evaluation for vertebral fractures using qualitative, semi-quantitative, or quantitative morphometric methods is called vertebral fracture assessment and provides information regarding a person’s fracture risk.  This improves overall assessment of an individual’s future fracture risk and allows for proper intervention. Guidelines are established for men and women to undergo vfa.

Question 2

what is the treatment for vertebral fracture?

Accepted Answer

Rest & analgesics: Vertebral fracture, often a compression fracture in osteoporotic skin, if not caused by trauma, is often very painful.  If intractable not effectively treated with pain medication (analgesics), hospitalization may be required.

Question 3

what is the definition or description of: vertebral fracture?

Accepted Answer

Spine fracture: A vertebral fracture is a broken bone in a vertebral body of the spine.  The treatment (surgical vs. Nonoperative) depends on the location and type of fracture.

Question 4

what are some possible residual effects of a vertebral fracture?

Accepted Answer

Pain, nerve problems: Many will become painless. But it is not rare to have some residual aching. It some cases, the pain will be severe (there may be instability or nerve pressure). A specialist should be seen if you have numbness, tingling, weakness, severe pain, deformity.

Question 5

can spinal compression or vertebral fracture be reversed?

Accepted Answer

Can heal: Fractures heal in about 6 weeks.  If you are young healing occurs better. Elderly people have vitamin deficiencies,
osteoporosis, and usually don't do as well with healing of spinal compression fracture.  Each person is an individual.
Therefore, if you are healthy it will take time but it will heal up.  As for reverse - nothing is ever as good as it was before
the injury.  A scar will remain .

Question 6

is infrared therapy safe if you have a vertebral fracture?

Accepted Answer

Benefits Unclear: No good studies have shown benefit from far infrared therapy for vertebral fractures. It may make it feel better but its' value remains unclear. As far as safety - unknown.

Question 7

physio pressed on thoracic vertebral fracture causing immediate wheezing. why would this cause this? (fracture not dx until later)

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: Wheezing is usually in some way related to reactive airway disease of one form or another.  Pressure placed on the posterior aspect of the thorax could cause air to be expelled from the pulmonary cavity and could, in theory, make the wheezing more apparent. It is possible, especially if you have osteoporosis, that the fracture occurred  at that moment as well.

Question 8

how much is vertebral fracture risk reduction with using estrogen?

Accepted Answer

Works - But: Because of its ability to decrease the risk of spine fractures in postmenopausal women, estrogen replacement therapy and et/ht has  been used for osteoporosis. Recent studies show that  hormone replacement is associated with an increase in breast cancer, stroke and heart attack. As a result, the fda now advises patients to consider other treatments first.

Question 9

if a patient gets l2 vertebral fracture will it be treated with bed rest?

Accepted Answer

Depends: on how much pain is caused by being upright or moving around.  Generally movement is better than no movement if it is tolerated.

Question 10

are vertebral compression fractures common?

Accepted Answer

Yes: They occur in older patients usually due to osteoporosis.  Women are affected 6:1 compared to men.

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Doctor answers about:

Vertebral fracture medication

A member asked:

What is vfa (vertebral fracture assessment)?

A member asked:

What is the treatment for vertebral fracture?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: vertebral fracture?

A member asked:

What are some possible residual effects of a vertebral fracture?

A member asked:

Can spinal compression or vertebral fracture be reversed?

A member asked:

Is infrared therapy safe if you have a vertebral fracture?

A member asked:

Physio pressed on thoracic vertebral fracture causing immediate wheezing. why would this cause this? (fracture not dx until later)

A member asked:

How much is vertebral fracture risk reduction with using estrogen?

A member asked:

If a patient gets l2 vertebral fracture will it be treated with bed rest?

A member asked:

Are vertebral compression fractures common?

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