Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Sacral insufficiency fractures in the elderly

I Gotis-Graham1, L McGuigan, T Diamond

  • 1St George Hospital, Kogarah, Australia.

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Modified Delphi study - A UK diagnostic radiography standardised clinical assessment tool.

Radiography (London, England : 1995)·2025
Same author

Patient and mission characteristics of helicopter emergency medical services in the Republic of Ireland: a retrospective analysis.

Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine·2025
Same author

Long-term outcome of ultrasound-guided retrieval of subcutaneous foreign bodies in 32 dogs (2015-2022).

The Journal of small animal practice·2025
Same author

Evidence from other healthcare professions to support the standardisation of clinical assessment in pre-registration education for diagnostic radiography: a systematic review.

Radiography (London, England : 1995)·2025
Same author

Management of chronic anal fissures: should fissurectomy be performed with botulinum toxin injection?

Techniques in coloproctology·2025
Same author

Botulinum toxin injection for management of post-haemorrhoidectomy pain: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Techniques in coloproctology·2025

Sacral insufficiency fractures are common in elderly individuals. Bone scans are effective diagnostic tools, and most patients experience pain resolution and maintain independence with appropriate management.

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • Sacral insufficiency fractures are frequently observed in the elderly population.
  • These fractures can present diagnostic challenges, potentially leading to unnecessary investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate diagnostic modalities for sacral insufficiency fractures.
  • To identify underlying causes and assess functional outcomes in affected patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 20 elderly patients diagnosed with sacral insufficiency fractures over five years.
  • Assessment included clinical records, radiography, CT, bone scans, bone densitometry (DXA), and bone histomorphometry.
  • Functional outcomes and pain resolution were monitored.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Bone scans demonstrated positive findings in all 20 patients.
  • CT scans were useful for excluding malignancy, identifying fractures or sclerosis in 7 of 12 patients.
  • Plain radiographs were least sensitive, showing sclerosis in only 4 patients.
  • Involutional osteoporosis was the primary underlying cause, often associated with reduced bone formation.
  • Seventeen patients achieved complete pain resolution within nine months, with no loss of independence.

Conclusions:

  • Bone scintigraphy is a highly sensitive imaging technique for diagnosing sacral insufficiency fractures.
  • Early recognition and conservative management, including rehabilitation, lead to favorable functional outcomes.
  • Increased clinical awareness can prevent over-investigation and ensure appropriate treatment for these fractures.