E-Mail
A new position paper by an International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Fracture Working Group reviews the clinical significance of vertebral fractures, and the rationale for performing vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) routinely within post-fracture care coordination programs such as fracture liaison services (FLS). [1]
VFA is a tool available on modern dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners which allows the detection of previous vertebral fractures by providing a lateral view of the spine during a regular DXA bone mineral density measurement of the hip and spine.
Professor Willem Lems, corresponding author of the position paper, stated:
"Vertebral fractures are independent risk factors for future vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Yet the majority occur without the signs and symptoms of an acute fracture, and they often remain undetected. Routine use of VFA technology would allow fracture liaison services to detect more undiagnosed vertebral fractures and to identify, assess and monitor more high-risk patients in need of treatment."