Skip to main content.

Get the facts

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) affect more than 750,000 individuals in the U.S. every year.1 And if you’re one of those individuals, you should feel empowered knowing that you have options beyond opioids, bracing and bed rest.

  • VCFs are common, especially in older adults2
  • Two-thirds of VCFs go undiagnosed and untreated3
  • VCFs carry over a 50% higher risk of death at one year when treated with conservative versus surgical management.4

What is a VCF?

If you experience sudden and severe back pain, limited ability to twist and bend and/or develop a deformity in the spine, it is important that you talk to your doctor, because these are symptoms of a VCF.

A VCF occurs when the bone tissue of the vertebral body collapses. This is commonly caused by osteoporosis (loss of bone density). VCFs may also be attributed to trauma, tumors and infection.5

Why is treatment important?

Many patients and their families see back pain as an unavoidable consequence of aging. It’s the reason approximately two-thirds of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) go undiagnosed.67 But being proactive is your best approach.

If your VCF is left untreated, you could face long-term complications known as the downward spiral.* Untreated VCFs carry a risk of adjacent level fractures, so it is important that VCFs are diagnosed and treated early.

*Michigan Neurosurgical Institute (2019)

  • Increased risk
    of mortality

  • Increased
    comorbidities

  • Increased
    fracture risk

  • More
    bone loss

  • Decreased
    activity

  • Sleeping
    problems

  • Loss of
    appetite

  • Impaired
    function

  • Less lung
    capacity

  • Spinal
    deformity

  • Back pain

    Don’t just manage the pain. Restore your body.

    The spine is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. Therefore, restoring the spine to its proper alignment is vitally important. Spine fractures are associated with increased mortality,8910111213 reduced lung function,46128 chronic pain and impaired quality of life.14151617 Talk to your doctor about vertebral augmentation and reclaim the quality of life you deserve.

    Learn more