Can Over Six Months of Teriparatide Treatment Prevent the Progression of Osteoporotic Thoracolumbar Compression Fracture?

Objective: Osteoporosis is one of the most common causes of thoracolumbar compression fractures. Teriparatide is an anabolic agent used to treat osteoporosis. This study aimed to determine whether teriparatide treatment for over 6 months could be effective in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures.

Methods: Between July 2012 and June 2020, we reviewed 50 patients with thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures who could be followed up for more than 1 year. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 11 patients who did not receive teriparatide (Group 0), 19 patients who received teriparatide for less than 5 months (Group 1), and 20 patients who received teriparatide for over 6 months (Group 2). Demographic data, visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and medical histories were reviewed. Radiographs were reviewed to evaluate the vertebral body compression ratio and kyphotic angles.

Results: VAS scores improved in all groups at each time point after injury. Score improvements at 6 months and 1 year between Group 0 and Groups 1 or 2 were significantly different. The compression ratio in all groups increased at each time point after injury, but the differences between Groups 0, 1, and 2 were statistically significant at 3 weeks and 6 months. While the kyphotic angle significantly increased at 1 year in all groups, the differences between the groups at each time point did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: Over 6 months of teriparatide treatment had some effects on pain in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures, but did not prevent the progression of vertebral collapse.