Osteoporosis is a serious public health problem
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, over 40% of middle-aged European women will suffer one or more osteoporotic fractures during their remaining lifetime.
Vertebral fractures occur with a higher incidence earlier in life than other types of osteoporotic fractures, including hip fractures. However, a substantial proportion of these fractures do not come to clinical attention and remain undetected despite their importance in predicting subsequent fracture. The existence of one vertebral fracture increases the risk of any subsequent vertebral fracture 5-fold and if the vertebral fracture is recent, 20% of those patients will sustain a new fracture within the next 12 months.
Because the majority of vertebral fractures do not come to clinical attention, radiographic diagnosis is considered to be the best way to identify and confirm the presence of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in clinical practice. However, many vertebral fractures often go unreported.
Standardized analysis of vertebral deformity aids diagnosis
Using a standardized approach to reporting of vertebral deformities leads to better communication with clinicians and thus improve the care of patients with osteoporosis. SpineAnalyzer aids the physician in this important task of assessing, measuring and reporting vertebral deformity from lateral spine radiographs or DXA images.