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Elderly people with osteoporosis are particularly at high risk for developing vertebral compression fractures which can be very painful. Medical management of vertebral compression fractures includes:

• Pain medications - depending upon the severity of the pain, medications that may be used to relieve pain include nonsteroidal inflammatory agents (e.g., Tylenol; Advil; Motrin) or narcotic analgesics (for severe pain)
• Rest and application of ice to the area. Hot compresses may be used at a later time.
• Back brace to provide support and stability

If the fractured vertebra is pressing against the spinal nerves, surgery may be necessary to remove the broken bone fragements and/or to stabilize the vertebrae adjacent to the fracture site. Surgery may also be perfomed to relieve pain that does not respond to medical management. This type of surgery is called percutaneous vertebroplasty and involves injecting a bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate or PMMA) into the body of the fractured vertebrae. After injection, the bone cement "hardens" and to hold the fracture in place and prevents further collapse of the vertebra. A similar surgical technique called a kyphoplasty can also relieve pain associated with vertebral compression fractures and is also used to build-up the height of the vertebrae and thus restore the spinal column to a more normal shape. Potential, although rare, complications that may be associated with percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty include:

• Nerve damage
• Wound infection
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)