[Surgical therapy of osteoporotic vertebral body fractures]

Osteoporosis is an age-related systemic disease leading to increased bone fragility. The vertebral bodies of the transitional area between the thoracic and lumbar spine are often involved. A large number of unreported or late-diagnosed fractures have to be assumed. If risk factors such as advanced age or comorbidities are present in the case of new-onset back pain, an osteoporotic vertebral body fracture as a possible cause has to be considered. This sets the diagnostic workup in motion, consisting of clinical and radiological examinations. In addition to conservative treatment, minimal invasive cement augmentation of the fracture via vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is an option. Open surgical procedures, feared by older patients and their physicians, are rarely necessary. Of utmost importance after dealing with the fracture is the subsequent treatment of the underlying osteoporotic disease to prevent the occurrence of further fractures.