Purpose
The impact of skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) on frailty after osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the interplay between frailty, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral density in OVFs.
Materials and Methods
A total of 66 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were enrolled. We collected clinical and radiological data, including age, body mass index (BMI), frailty index, and parameters such as lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, skeletal muscle mass, and BMD. We then analyzed the relationships between frailty and these variables.
Results
The mean age, BMI, BMD T-score, skeletal muscle mass, and frailty index were 78.0±7.8 years, 22.3±3.3 kg/ m², -3.59±0.96, 37.84±6.24 kg, and 2.59±1.08, respectively. Of the 66 patients, 14 (21.1%) were frail prior to fracture, while 37 (56.1%) were frail after fracture, indicating a worsening frailty status. Specifically, 23 patients (34.8%) transitioned from pre-frail to frail following their fracture and had both lower BMD (T-score: -3.7±0.93) and lower skeletal muscle mass (35.74±3.83 kg). Frailty was negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.28, p=0.02), while BMD was positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.29, p=0.02). OVFs were positively correlated with frailty (r=0.33, p=0.01), especially in terms of fatigue (r=0.31, p=0.01) and ambulation (r=0.21, p=0.01).
Conclusions
In patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, decreased muscle mass and low BMD appear to exacerbate frailty. Furthermore, frailty may be both a contributing and a resulting factor in the development of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Purpose
This study aimed to compare the clinical effectiveness and potential benefits of ultrasound (US)-guided versus fluoroscopy (FL)-guided cervical retrolaminar block (RLB) in patients with cervical facet joint pain.
Materials and Methods
A total of 27 patients aged 40 years or older who were diagnosed with cervical facet joint syndrome based on physical examination and imaging modalities were included. 12 patients of group I treated with US-guided RLB and 15 patients of group II treated with FL-guided RLB. The position of the needle and the distribution of contrast agent were confirmed using fluoroscopic images, and the changes in numeric rating scale (NRS) and neck disability index (NDI) before and 2 weeks after the procedure were compared in the two groups.
Results
Radiologically, the target agreement of needle placement in group I was 75%. There was no difference in contrast medium spread between the two groups. Clinically, the mean NRS improved from 7.08±0.52 to 3.08±0.90 in group I (p=0.01) and from 7.20±0.56 to 3.33±0.72 in group II (p=0.01). The mean NDI decreased from 41.67±2.27 before the procedure to 20.83±2.33 after the procedure in group I (p=0.01), and from 40.87±2.61 before the procedure to 21.67±2.02 after the procedure in group II (p=0.01), with no difference between the two groups.
Conclusions
US-guided cervical RLB is an effective, radiation-free alternative to FL-guided RLB for managing cervical facet joint pain, offering comparable pain relief and functional improvement.

Purpose
The impact of skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density (BMD) on frailty after osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVFs) remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the interplay between frailty, skeletal muscle mass, and bone mineral density in OVFs.
Materials and Methods
A total of 66 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures were enrolled. We collected clinical and radiological data, including age, body mass index (BMI), frailty index, and parameters such as lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, skeletal muscle mass, and BMD. We then analyzed the relationships between frailty and these variables.
Results
The mean age, BMI, BMD T-score, skeletal muscle mass, and frailty index were 78.0±7.8 years, 22.3±3.3 kg/ m², -3.59±0.96, 37.84±6.24 kg, and 2.59±1.08, respectively. Of the 66 patients, 14 (21.1%) were frail prior to fracture, while 37 (56.1%) were frail after fracture, indicating a worsening frailty status. Specifically, 23 patients (34.8%) transitioned from pre-frail to frail following their fracture and had both lower BMD (T-score: -3.7±0.93) and lower skeletal muscle mass (35.74±3.83 kg). Frailty was negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.28, p=0.02), while BMD was positively correlated with skeletal muscle mass (r=0.29, p=0.02). OVFs were positively correlated with frailty (r=0.33, p=0.01), especially in terms of fatigue (r=0.31, p=0.01) and ambulation (r=0.21, p=0.01).
Conclusions
In patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, decreased muscle mass and low BMD appear to exacerbate frailty. Furthermore, frailty may be both a contributing and a resulting factor in the development of osteoporotic vertebral fractures.