Kummel disease: A not-so-rare complication of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Abstract

Kummel disease is the eponym for avascular necrosis of the vertebral body after a vertebral compression fracture. As our population ages, the prevalence of osteoporosis, its most common fragility fracture (vertebral compression fracture), and Kummel disease will increase. The purpose of this article is to report a prototypical case with complete radiographic and histologic workup and to provide facts regarding Kummel disease that are salient to the primary care provider.