This self-directed learning module highlights a clinical vignette of a female patient with osteoporosis and addresses the clinical presentation, assessment, medical management, and rehabilitation approaches to a patient with an acute vertebral fracture. It is part of the study guide on osteoporosis in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This chapter emphasizes the differential diagnosis, clinical diagnostic considerations, current pharmacotherapy, invasive procedure options, and orthotic and exercise interventions for a patient with postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Overall article objective: To summarize the clinical evaluation, medical management, and rehabilitation strategies in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis and acute vertebral fracture presentation.