I'm 74-years old and in good general health. I recently suffered a vertebral compression fracture. Why did this happen when I'm in such good shape otherwise?

Posted September 15th, 2005 by Matt

Spine Thoracic

The discs, the vertebral bodies, and the neural arch normally absorb compression and load on the spine. The neural arch is a bridge of bone that forms a circle around the spinal cord to protect it.

There is a certain amount of natural degeneration that occurs in the spine starting at age 50. Bone density is less as the bones become more osteoporotic.

In elderly spines the neural arch (instead of the vertebral body) takes up to 90 percent of the compressive force. The discs tend to thin out as we age and don't help absorb the shock as much.

The result is that when the spine is bent forward most of the pressure in on the front of the vertebral body. When the spine is extended most of the pressure is on the back half of the vertebra. Fatigue, aging, and gravity have a tendency to bring the spine into a forward flexed posture. The right angle and the right amount of force can result in a vertebral fracture.

All of these things can contribute to a vertebral compression fracture even in otherwise healthy adults.

Najma Farooq, MRCS, et al. Can Vertebroplasty Restore Normal Load-Bearing to Fractured Vertebrae? In Spine. August 1, 2005. Vol. 30. No. 15. Pp. 1723-1730.

Post to Del.icio.us

Email to a Friend

Comments

Best Windows VPS Hosting by

On March 10th, 2010 mark456 says:

Best Windows VPS Hosting by ucvhost If you choosing for the best windows vps | cheap vps | windows hosting | Cheap Hosting | Forex Vps hosting service, you need to hunt for those virtual private servers that can run as isolated processes while being part of a Web Server, and provide you complete privacy and root access as the VPS owner. You should also ask for CPU resources, guaranteed bandwidth, memory, and disk space, to make the most of your chosen Windows VPS hosting service. Thanks ucvhost

abercrombie deutschland

On April 29th, 2010 danbao says:

abercrombie deutschland abercrombie deutschland abercrombie abercrombie abercrombie and fitch abercrombie and fitch abercrombie & fitch deutschland abercrombie & fitch deutschland abercrombie & fitch frankfurt abercrombie & fitch frankfurt abercrombie münchen abercrombie münchen abercrombie tees abercrombie tees Abercrombie Jeans Abercrombie Jeans Abercrombie Pants Abercrombie Pants Abercrombie Tees Abercrombie Tees Abercrombie Shorts Abercrombie Shorts Abercrombie Sweater Abercrombie Sweater Abercrombie Outerwear Abercrombie Outerwear Abercrombie Hoodies Abercrombie Hoodies Abercrombie Polo Abercrombie Polo Abercrombie Shirts Abercrombie Shirts abercrombie henleys crew abercrombie henleys crew hollister hollister hollister uk hollister uk abercrombie mens abercrombie mens abercrombie womens abercrombie womens Ruehl 925 Ruehl 925

ugg boots ugg boots ugg stiefel ugg stiefel
uggs uggs ugg australia ugg australia ugg boots sale ugg boots sale ugg boots deutschland ugg boots deutschland uggs on sale uggs on sale damen ugg stiefel damen ugg stiefel bailey button ugg boots bailey button ugg boots classic tall ugg boots classic tall ugg boots classic short ugg boots classic short ugg boots classic cardy ugg boots classic cardy ugg boots classic mini ugg boots classic mini ugg boots metallic ugg boots metallic ugg boots

thomas sabo thomas sabo ugg boots ugg boots uggs uggs MBT MBT GHD GHD G Star Raw G Star Raw ed hardy ed hardy Abercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch tiffany jewelry tiffany jewelry Abercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch Abercrombie And Fitch Cartier Cartier Gucci Gucci shamwow shamwow

callaway golf club custom

On May 14th, 2010 venn99 says:

callaway golf club
custom golf club fitting
golf tips
golf equipment
golf bags
beginner golfers
golf balls
golf equipment
golf resorts
golf stores
ping golf club
taylor made golf clubs
golfing
golfing blog
golf
golf blog
teenage acne treatment
acne, problem, clogging, pores, pimples, occur, face, neck, backbody, problem, good diet, acne medicine, skin
diet, acne, treatment, pimple, health, skin
acne medications
acne medication, creams, therapy, acne treatment
acnet
skin condition
skin creams
acne
acne treatment
acne cure
skin care
skin care product
acne
rosacea
pimples
zits
skin care
accutane
postules
cystic acne
nodular acne
acne treatment online
acne treatment
acne
acne, benzoyl peroxide, acne treatment, proactiv, proactive, skin care
Acne laser treatment
Laser acne treatment
Acne scar laser treatment
Acne
Acne laser
acne
acne cures
acne treatments
acne medication
acne remedies
acne regime
acne advice
acne
acne symptoms
causes of acne
acne
pimples
zits
acne
acne control
acne medicine
acne treatment
nutrition
acne care
acne treatment
acne prevention
acne
acne
acne vulgaris
acne treatment
acne products
acne medications
acne medicines
acne treatments
acne medication
herbal acne treatment
acne faqs
acnes
acne faq
acne FAQ
acne FAQS
acne
pimples
zits
acne treatment
oily skin
cure acne
get rid of acne
body acne
blackheads
whiteheads
acne scar
androgen
acne

replica watches

On June 12th, 2010 cheap watches says:

replica watches

On June 12th, 2010 cheap watches says:

. the USA. For this outstanding Prada Handbags person creating airplanes presented the lifetime work. Over the years beginning with 1936. John made 5.829 wooden airplanes. actively creating. on average two model kent cigarettes airplanes a week till replica Leather shoes the last day Wedding Apparel of his life. Cheap Adidas trainers nike air max 95 After his death on February 17. 2003. the collection has been donated to the Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University. soccer jersey wholesale Prescott. Arizona. Replica Cigarette USA. and housed in the university's library. To induce the collection into The Guinness Book of World Records the university held a special ceremony dedicated to the event.%AAmong the Kalusa Collection's items you would discover a wide Cheap Adidas Superstar Sneaker range of preflight. private. commercial. military and rocket aircraft models. The replica soccer jersey miniatures Replica NIKE Shox R4 Shoes have been made of balsa wood using a broken razor blade Replica Watches. glue. watercolors. clear sealant. bamboo and wire. The constructions of all the models correspond to a 1/8-inch-to-foot scale Cheap DUNHILL cigarettes to ensure that all aircrafts in the collection have accurateChristian Louboutin boots size in relation to each other. Kalusa painted the aeroplanes in the way to follow the exact details Fake Designer Handbags and replica Christian Louboutin markings Cheap Nike Terminator characteristic to the original aircraft.%A%ASome facts about Replica D G Strap the Collector%AIn 1936. at the Fake Puma Watches age of 14. Kalusa made ghd hair straighteners World War I model aircrafts for playing war games with his friends. In 1939. when Poland was Fake Hermes Handbags invaded Replica Nike Air Max Wright Shoes by the German troops Fakes Watches. he was absorbed Swiss Replica Watches by Replica Nike Shox O Nine Shoes building more-modern airplane Louis Vuitton wholesale handbags models. During World War II. Kalusa served as an aerial photographer soccer jersey wholesale in the South Pacific Replica Nike Shox Turbo Shoes and also worked as a mechanic. He then traveled around Australia until the United States occupied Japan. Kalusa was awarded by seven Battle Stars and was honorably discharged in January 1946. %AWhen World War II was over. Kalusa resumed his hobby. and his comprehensive model replica designer wallet aircraft collection was designer shoes gradually growing. In 1962. Kalusa together with his wife. Bernice. moved from D G Men Ceintures Chicago to Los Angeles. where he got a Cheap Nike Air Max 95 job in the purchasing D G shoes--Dolce & Gabanna department at Rocketdyne. Kalusa occupied with Gucci Handbags procuring items for ground-support equipment used for the F-1 engines used on space-launch missiles.%AIn 1985. he retired to Mesa. Ariz.. Replica Hermes Handbags still pursuing his model aircraft replica Leather shoes hobby. He also worked Cheap Nike Air Max Wright as a guide at the Champlin Fighter Museum and took Cheap famouse replica Baboosh/slipper part in replica Strap volunteer work at the Southwestern Museum. Kalusa passed away at the age of 81 at his home Cheap Adidas trainers in Mesa. Ariz.John W. Kalusa worked hard handcrafting his collection over much of his Cheap Nike Air Max Tailwind life. %A%AThe Embry-Riddle University%A Embry-Riddle. the world's Replica Gucci Wallets largest. fully accredited university that specializes in aviation and aerospace Replica Watches. takes care of organizing educational. training. research and consulting activities to meet the Cheap adidas Running needs of modern students and industry. Embry-Riddle's educational programs comprise more than 25.000 students every Replica Nike Air Max Wright Shoes year through the master's level at discount cigarettes 555 residential campuses in Daytona Beach. at more than 130 teaching centers around the United States and cheap Strap Ceinture Europe. Cheap Gucci Wallets and through distance Cheap Adidas Superstar SS2G learning. %APeople interested in studying the exceptional collection of the Kalusa Miniature Aircraft are welcome during library hours. A video about the collection and Mr. Kalusa is also available for viewing in the collection area. Private tours may be arranged in advance.%AThere are a lot adidas shoes of passionate collectors all other the world who make their lives more colorful while collecting Fake Marni Handbags something nice Cheap Mobile Telephone and exciting. Fine replica watches are just great collectibles for Cheap Nike Vandal everyone eager to start one's own collection. Choose replica watches from a wide range of models available nowadays and share the enjoyment of owning high quality timekeeping instruments.%A%9%9%9%9%9%9%A

http://beta.cruiselinefans.co

On July 4th, 2010 venn99 says:

http://beta.cruiselinefans.com/forum/celebrity-ships/5795-celebrity-millenium-6.html#post1374000

UGG Boots on sale

On July 15th, 2010 fang says:

uggs on sale

On July 24th, 2010 uggs on sale says:

Login or register to post comments

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.

All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Medical Multimedia Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Medical Multimedia Group, LLC and used herein by permission.

Back to top

User login

Username: *

Password: *

Create new account
Request new password

Helpful Links

All-Time Popular Content

Recent Popular Content

Terms Of Service

About Spine University

Spine Care Basics

Spine Wizard

Spine News

Spine Q & A

Neck Pain

Low Back Pain

Chronic Pain

Nutrition and the Spine

Mind Body Medicine

Journal Watch

Navigation

Pain Management

Patient Guides

News

FAQs

Spine Cervical

Patient Guides

News

FAQs

Spine General

Patient Guides

News

FAQs

Spine Lumbar

Patient Guides

News

FAQs

Spine Thoracic

Patient Guides

News

FAQs

*Disclaimer:*The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic.
	All content provided by eORTHOPOD® is a registered trademark of Medical Multimedia Group, L.L.C.. Content is the sole property of Medical Multimedia Group, LLC and used herein by permission.

Search

I'm 74-years old and in good general health. I recently suffered a vertebral compression fracture. Why did this happen when I'm in such good shape otherwise?

Comments

Comment viewing options

User login

Helpful Links

Spine Care Basics

Navigation