Objectives: To evaluate spinal curvature changes over a 3-year period in postmenopausal women who had had an osteoporotic vertebral fracture within the last 3 months.
Methods: Thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were measured using a curviscope at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months. Anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar spine were obtained after 1 and 3 years.
Results: Sixty-one patients were included. At baseline, a significant increase in thoracic curvature was found in the subgroup with thoracic fractures as compared to the subgroups with thoracolumbar or lumbar fractures (64 degrees +/- 9 degrees, 56 degrees +/- 10, and 56 degrees +/- 13, respectively; P < 0.05). No lumbar curvature differences were found. Thoracic curvature was significantly correlated with age (r = -0.48, P < 0.001) and with the vertebral deformity index (r = 0.6, P < 0.001). A significant increase in thoracic curvature was apparent 3 months into the study; after 3 years, the increase was 5.6 degrees +/- 0.7 (P < 0.01). A moderate increase in lumbar curvature was found after 3 years (P < 0.01). Five of 13 patients and five of 10 patients had at least one incident fracture after 1 and 3 years, respectively. Mean thoracic curvature was greater among the patients with than without incident fractures after 1 and 3 years, although the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: Thoracic compression fractures significantly increase thoracic kyphosis as compared to dorsolumbar and lumbar fractures. Thoracic kyphosis worsens overtime in patients with prevalent vertebral fractures. These data invite an evaluation of techniques capable of providing early correction of alignment disorders, such as widespread use of bracing or kyphoplasty.