Back pain in older men is often due to small spinal fractures, which are related to osteoporosis. It is common for these tiny fractures to go undiagnosed. These fractures can cause new fractures and thus a worsening of pain and disability in some men. According to a study in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, preventing such fractures could help in reducing overall back pain and associated disability in these patients. This is the first study to focus specifically on older men. Similar findings have been demonstrated in elderly women with osteoporosis as well.

Key Takeaways:

• Most of the studies that have been done on vertebral fractures have centered around women.
• Scientists are now learning that a large number of vertebral fractures go undiagnosed.
• Efforts to reduce the occurrence of vertebral fractures need to be strengthened.

“Only about one-quarter of new vertebral fractures are diagnosed by a doctor”

Read more: https://www.newsmax.com/Health/Health-News/fracture-back-pain/2017/09/21/id/814974/