How to determine if someone has had a previous vertebral fracture?
Back pain or tenderness are helpful clues but may be absent since two-thirds of vertebral fractures are asymptomatic. Height loss of >2 inches or dorsal kyphosis are highly suggestive clinical findings. Methods such as vertebral imaging with lateral spine films or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) vertebral fracture assessment are the most accurate ways to detect existing vertebral fractures.
