Drug Therapeutics of Osteoporosis, Vertebral Fracture and Nonunion

Abstract

Osteoporosis management is effective in decreasing vertebral fracture risk. The assessment of vertebral fracture risk is used to identify patients with high fracture risk for anti-osteoporotic treatment, especially for those who have not yet fractured. Several pharmacological agents are available to lower vertebral fracture risk by reducing bone resorption or/and stimulating bone formation. Aside from surgical treatment for fresh vertebral fracture or fracture nonunion in elderly patients, recent studies indicated that management of osteoporosis plays a vital role in boosting vertebral fracture union, preventing progressive vertebral collapse and decreasing the refracture risk. In this chapter, we focus on the treatment of osteoporosis, acute vertebral fractures and nonunion, as well as the evaluation of clinical efficacy by bone quality and bone turnover markers after treatment.