Dr Adriaan Liebenberg My Spine Explained | Page 21

My Spine Explained
Images used with permission from Medtronic
Figure 3.1
These images demonstrate the effects of osteoporosis.
The top image shows a fracture of the thoracic spine. This type of fracture is
called a compression fracture. Note the wedge shape of the vertebra as it col-
lapsed at the front.
The bottom images are of a normal vertebra on the left and an osteoporotic
vertebra on the right. In the osteoporotic vertebra, there is a notable loss of
bone density in the body of the vertebra.
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