Compression Fracture vs. Displaced Shear Fracture

A condition of the spine known as osteoporosis makes the bones of the spine ,known as vertebrae more brittle. Mr.Smith also suffered from Ankylosing Spondylitis,a disease that causes vertebrae to fuse together and become brittle. A person with osteoporosis is at a higher risk to develop compression fractures of the spine .Person who have osteoporosis and who experience multiple compression fractures in the vertebrae can develop a “humpback” condition. Despite the presence of compression fractures, the spinal cord is neurologically intact. If subjected to significant force, a spinal with osteoporosis and ankylosing spondylitis will break. This is called a displaced shear fracture and in this condition, spinal cord is damaged.