Vertebral Compression Fractures

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (65 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Pharmacology Credits

0.0

Post-Assessment Questions

8

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

4 May 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6689 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7956.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$73.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$299 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$479 per 1 year per user
 
Need Help?  If you have a system or content concerns, please contact support@statpearls.com

Activity Description

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are the most common osteoporotic fractures and present a significant clinical and public health burden, especially among aging populations. These fractures typically affect the anterior column of the vertebral body, producing a wedge-shaped deformity due to biomechanical failure under compressive loading. The incidence of VCFs increases markedly with age and is slightly more common in women due to lower bone mineral density.

This course explores the complexities surrounding the accurate assessment and classification of these fractures, which helps to standardize diagnosis and guide treatment. VCFs may result from low-energy trauma in osteoporotic individuals or high-energy trauma in younger patients. Neoplastic conditions, such as multiple myeloma, also contribute to vertebral fractures. Clinically, VCFs can cause acute pain, functional impairment, and increased risk for subsequent fractures, though many remain asymptomatic. A thorough clinical and radiologic evaluation is essential for diagnosing and differentiating between benign, traumatic, and malignant causes. Management is guided by fracture stability, neurological status, and overall patient condition. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in the early diagnosis, appropriate classification, and implementation of an individualized interprofessional approach when managing this condition to optimize outcomes and reduce morbidity.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify physical examination findings consistent with vertebral compression fractures.

  • Evaluate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying vertebral compression fractures.

  • Interpret imaging studies to diagnose vertebral compression fractures accurately.

  • Coordinate interprofessional team communication and collaboration to optimize management strategies for patients with vertebral compression fractures.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Jordan R. on 2/10/2021

Maria E. on 8/1/2021

Michael N. on 1/12/2022

Lisa R. on 3/31/2022

Robin A. on 3/11/2022

DYLAN A. on 4/24/2022

Dawn E. on 7/6/2022

Matthew K. on 9/5/2022

Rachel E. on 11/17/2022

Gail S. on 11/27/2022

Christopher S. on 12/9/2022

Kimberly R. on 12/22/2022

efstathia c. on 12/26/2022

Daniel R. on 12/28/2022

William H. on 1/27/2023

Samantha C. on 2/26/2023

TRACEA T. on 3/23/2023

Anjela S. on 8/24/2023

Natasha M. on 8/27/2023

Ketan H. on 10/26/2023

Alison S. on 9/12/2023

Jordan L. on 10/27/2023

Stacey S. on 11/30/2023

Ehsan q. on 12/6/2023

priya c. on 12/29/2023

Stephanie N. on 12/31/2023

Andres M. on 1/17/2024

KAYLA S. on 1/26/2024

brian w. on 2/4/2024

Deirdre H. on 2/11/2024

Katayun S. on 2/23/2024

clarissa f. on 4/4/2024

Danielle C. on 4/25/2024

Robin A. on 4/25/2024

Lena L. on 6/8/2024

Armin O. on 5/28/2024

Christopher C. on 6/24/2024

Lauren S. on 6/27/2024

Glenn M. on 6/28/2024

sarah s. on 7/3/2024

Christopher V. on 7/9/2024

Carlye E. on 7/23/2024

Paul D. on 7/26/2024

Philip L. on 9/8/2024

Andrew M. on 9/23/2024

ISRAEL A. on 9/28/2024

Gary R. on 10/31/2024

REENA J. on 11/8/2024

Kiran T. on 11/9/2024

Victoria B. on 11/11/2024

Girish J. on 11/15/2024

Robert M. on 12/10/2024

Michael O. on 12/12/2024

Timothy V. on 12/15/2024

Eric M. on 12/17/2024

vicki m. on 12/27/2024

Christopher F. on 1/4/2025

Penny P. on 1/14/2025

Danielle C. on 2/4/2025

Robert D. on 3/9/2025

John P. on 4/9/2025

Barbara M. on 5/30/2025

Dorie P. on 6/11/2025

kimberley s. on 6/23/2025

Victoria B. on 7/24/2025

Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6689 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7956.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$73.50 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$299 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$479 per 1 year per user