ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the injuries affecting the thoracolumbar and sacral regions in the elderly, with special emphasis on osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Osteoporotic vertebral fractures typically occur at the thoracolumbar junction and in the mid-thoracic region. Apart from osteoporotic fractures which occur following trivial injuries in individuals with low bone mass, severe thoracolumbar injury in the geriatric population may occur after high energy trauma. Osteoporotic vertebral fractures typically occur at the thoracolumbar junction and in the mid-thoracic region. Osteoporotic fractures of the sacrum are denoted as sacral insufficiency fractures and were first described by Lourie in 1982. Apart from osteoporotic fractures which occur following trivial injuries in individuals with low bone mass, severe thoracolumbar injury in the geriatric population may occur after high energy trauma. Most fractures heal well with rest, anal-gesia and treatment for osteoporosis. Percutaneous cement injection has been shown to have good results in reducing the pain.
