title: Spinal compression fractures due to pregnancy-associated osteoporosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report on unique cases of spinal compression fractures due to pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) and to suggest a satisfactory treatment modality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-center retrospective study. We reviewed the data of 535 patients with osteoporotic spinal compression fractures over a period of 5-year. Two patients who developed spinal compression fractures due to PAO were identified and treated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical presentation and blood investigations ruled out other causes of osteoporosis. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to confirm the diagnosis. All patients improved with medical management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vertebral fractures due to PAO should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with back pain who are in the third trimester of pregnancy or in postpartum. Early recognition and appropriate conservative management would be necessary to prevent complications such as new vertebral fractures and chronic back pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Spine Division, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishnakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Spine Division, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Arun T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Spine Division, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala, India.
authors.forename: Mathew John
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kuzhimattam
keywords: Bone mineral density; chronic back pain; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; pregnancy-associated osteoporosis; spinal compression fractures