It consists of the fracture of one or more of the bones that make up the spine, called vertebrae.
The most frequent cause is osteoporosis. Other common causes are trauma and neoplasms with vertebral metastases.
Acute fractures cause intense back pain, sometimes described as a stabbing. Long-standing vertebral fractures/crushes may not cause symptoms and are often discovered when studying the spine in patients who have lost height, walk in a stooped posture or present with continuous low-intensity back pain.
The suspected diagnosis is made by clinical questioning and physical examination. It is confirmed with X-rays of the spine.
Most cases will require analgesic and anti-inflammatory treatment and rest; occasionally they may require surgical repair. It will also be necessary to treat the cause, for example by correcting osteoporosis.
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