[Surgical Strategy for Pseudoarthrosis and Delayed Nerve Palsy after Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture]

Osteoporotic vertebral fractures are among the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis. Approximately 80% of cases heal by fusion in the natural process without the need for surgery, and if we include the so-called "incidental vertebral body fractures," which are discovered by chance during radiography, the frequency of prolongation of back pain due to pseudoarthrosis or delayed-onset neurological deficits is low. However, the prognosis of osteoporotic vertebral fractures is affected by the number of fractured vertebrae. In patients who become bedridden because of prolonged pain due to pseudoarthrosis or delayed neurological deficits, surgical treatment aimed at improving activities of daily living is required from the viewpoint of life prognosis. Here, we describe the indications for surgery and surgical methods for pathologies that require surgical treatment after osteoporotic vertebral fractures.