A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) is a break in an individual bone, or vertebra, of the spine that causes the vertebra to collapse. A lumbar VCF affects the lower spine. When a VCF occurs, the ...

Fractures are common in people with osteoporosis because their bones are more fragile than they used to be. The bones most at risk are the hips, wrists, and spinal vertebrae. These breaks may require ...

Vertebral wedging occurs when the front of one of your vertebrae collapses. This is a type of fracture that often occurs in people with osteoporosis. Anywhere from 1–1.5 million vertebral compression ...

"Medical Journeys" is a set of clinical resources reviewed by doctors, meant for physicians and other healthcare professionals as well as the patients they serve. Each episode of this 12-part journey ...

Upper back pain may be a sign of cancer that has spread to the spine. However, many other conditions can cause pain in the upper back, such as arthritis or a herniated disk. Some types of cancer may ...