Critical appraisal of physical rehabilitation measures after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Osteoporosis is asymptomatic until fracture occurs. Fracture of the vertebral bodies can be "silent" and is diagnosed incidentally on radiographic visualization. The occurrence of spontaneous vertebral fracture in an otherwise healthy individual is considered pathognomonic of spinal osteoporosis. Osteoporotic vertebral fractures and kyphotic posture are no longer disorders about which nothing can be done. Resistive training exercises can decrease the risk of vertebral fractures. Proprioception generated within joints, ligaments, and muscles contributes to awareness of the relative orientation of functional units of the spine at rest and in motion. This is fundamental to posture, balance, and locomotion. Proprioception reeducation can be utilized for improving posture and balance. The focus of this review is rehabilitative measures for management of vertebral fractures.