Is the fracture risk of adjacent vertebrae increased by the changed loading direction after a wedge fracture?
The failure load of osteopenic/osteoporotic vertebrae was 24% lower under off-axis loads (20°) than under axial loads (0°). This study may lead to a better understanding of the etiology of adjacent vertebral fractures after wedge-like deformities and demonstrates the importance of height reconstruction of wedge fractures in order to normalize the loading conditions on adjacent vertebrae.
Food insecurity is modifiable and an appropriate target for poverty-alleviation and agricultural programs. These findings suggest programmatic and policy attention to the social dimensions of poor psychosocial health, particularly to food insecurity as a central cause.