Prognosis for conservative therapy to vertebral compression fractures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the poor prognosis factor in patients with vertebral compression fractures. We radiologically investigated the degree of vertebral collapse and kyphotic curves in 43 patients. Patients complaining of back pain were found to have significantly lower vertebral height and progressive kyphotic deformity. Early MRI findings suggested that the existence of posterior vertebral damage was correlated with vertebral collapse, kyphotic deformity, and continuous back pain. (author)