A Rare Case of Non-Traumatic Thoracic Compression Fracture In A 28-Year-Old Male

A 28-year-old African American male with a history of synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome, tobacco use, and sickle cell trait was referred to a physiatrist at a multidisciplinary spine center with a one-year history of non-traumatic thoracic back pain that had significantly worsened over the prior four weeks. In the context of recurrent infections requiring hospital admissions and the patient's immunosuppressed status, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his thoracic spine was obtained, showing an acute or subacute anterior compression deformity of the T7 vertebral body. He was subsequently provided with a hyperextension brace, physical therapy (PT) referral, and a trial of intranasal calcitonin. The patient reported significant improvement in pain at his three-month follow-up appointment and continued to show pain and functional improvement in PT sessions up to six months later.