Fig. 3a–c.

66-year-old female patient with a nine month history of back pain after lifting a grocery bag while shopping . a STIR MRI revealed a high intensity signal in the T12 collapsed vertebra, which was the only vertebra tender to point pressure over the spinal process. This finding is highly suggestive of a non-healed fracture (pseudarthrosis). Note that L1, L2, L3 and L5 vertebrae have also sustained OVCFs that have healed—spinal alignment is compromised. Note on plain X-rays improvement of vertebral height after kyphoplasty nine months after the onset of symptoms. b Preoperative X-ray. c Postoperative X-ray