Which physical change indicates vertebral compression due to osteoporosis?

• A. Height gain
• B. Widened hips
• C. Height loss
• D. Increased spinal curvature

Answer: (C)

Vertebral compression from osteoporosis directly shortens the spine. When the vertebral bodies collapse vertically, the overall height decreases, so a person becomes shorter over time. That loss of height is the clearest, most direct physical sign of vertebral compression.

Widened hips aren’t a typical indicator of vertebral compression. Increased spinal curvature (kyphosis) can occur as a consequence of multiple compression fractures and the resulting wedge-shaped vertebrae, but it’s a secondary change rather than the primary, direct sign. So the best indicator of vertebral compression is the observable height loss.