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The natural course of the paravertebral muscles after the onset of osteoporotic vertebral fracture

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Abstract

Summary

This study revealed the change in the paravertebral muscles in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Increased pain is likely to be the driver for reduced activity, reduced activities of daily living, and consequent increase in fat infiltration of the paravertebral muscles, assumed to be secondary to reduced activity level or, conversely, partial immobilization.

Introduction

To reveal the time courses and impact of the paravertebral muscles (PVMs) on the healing process of osteoporotic vertebral fractures and risk factors for PVM decrease.

Methods

Consecutive patients with symptomatic osteoporotic vertebral fractures were enrolled in 11 hospitals. At enrollment and 3- and 6-month follow-up, PVMs, including the multifidus and erector spinae, were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The PVM cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat signal fraction (FSF) were measured at L3. Low back pain (LBP), activities of daily living (ADLs), and risk factors for PVM decrease at the 6-month follow-up were investigated. PVM decrease was defined as > 1 standard deviation decrease of the CSA or > 1 standard deviation increase of the FSF.

Results

Among 153 patients who completed the 6-month follow-up, 117 (92 women, 79%) had MRI of L3 at enrollment and 3- and 6-month follow-up (mean age at enrollment, 78.5 years). The CSA did not change 6 months from onset (p for trend = 0.634), whereas the FSF significantly increased (p for trend = 0.033). PVM decrease was observed in 30 patients (26%). LBP was more severe, and delayed union was more frequent in patients with PVM decrease (p = 0.021 mixed-effect model and p = 0.029 chi-square test, respectively). The risk factors for PVM decrease were ADL decline at the 3-month follow-up (adjusted odds ratio = 5.35, p = 0.026).

Conclusion

PVM decrease was significantly related to LBP and delayed union after osteoporotic vertebral fracture onset. ADL decline at the 3-month follow-up was a risk factor for PVM decrease. Therefore, restoring ADLs within 3 months after onset is important.

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Funding

This study was funded by the Grant of Japan Orthopedics and Traumatology Research Foundation (Grant no. 270).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan

    S. Takahashi, M. Hoshino, H. Toyoda, S. Ohyama, Y. Hori & H. Nakamura

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seikeikai Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    K. Takayama

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yodogawa Christian Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    R. Sasaoka

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shiraniwa Hospital, Nara, Japan

    T. Tsujio

  5. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka General Hospital of West Japan Railway Company, Osaka, Japan

    H. Yasuda

  6. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Saiseikai Nakatsu Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    F. Kanematsu

  7. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ishikiri Seiki Hospital, Osaka, Japan

    H. Kono

Authors
  1. S. Takahashi
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  2. M. Hoshino
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  3. K. Takayama
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  6. H. Yasuda
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  8. H. Kono
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  9. H. Toyoda
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  10. S. Ohyama
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  11. Y. Hori
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  12. H. Nakamura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Hoshino.

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Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Osaka City University. All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

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Takahashi, S., Hoshino, M., Takayama, K. et al. The natural course of the paravertebral muscles after the onset of osteoporotic vertebral fracture. Osteoporos Int 31, 1089–1095 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-020-05338-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-020-05338-8

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