Which fracture is most commonly associated with osteoporosis and affects the spinal vertebrae?

Which fracture is most commonly associated with osteoporosis and affects the spinal vertebrae?

• A. Compression Fracture
• B. Stress Fracture
• C. Vertebral Compression Fracture
• D. Greenstick Fracture

Answer: (C)

Osteoporosis weakens bone so that minor stresses can cause fractures, especially in the spine where compressive forces are common. A vertebral compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebral body in the spine due to this weakened bone, making it the classic osteoporotic fracture of the spinal column. It often presents after little or no obvious trauma and can lead to height loss and loss of spinal curvature. Other options describe different scenarios: a general compression fracture could occur in bones other than the spine and isn’t specific to osteoporosis; a stress fracture results from repetitive loading rather than a single weak-bone event; a greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture typically seen in children.

Osteoporosis weakens bone so that minor stresses can cause fractures, especially in the spine where compressive forces are common. A vertebral compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebral body in the spine due to this weakened bone, making it the classic osteoporotic fracture of the spinal column. It often presents after little or no obvious trauma and can lead to height loss and loss of spinal curvature.

Other options describe different scenarios: a general compression fracture could occur in bones other than the spine and isn’t specific to osteoporosis; a stress fracture results from repetitive loading rather than a single weak-bone event; a greenstick fracture is an incomplete fracture typically seen in children.