Vranken L, et al. - Via a cross-sectional study in 338 women aged 50–90 with a recent non-vertebral fracture (NVF), researchers assessed the correlation between prevalent vertebral fractures and bone micro-architecture and strength measured using HR-pQCT in postmenopausal women visiting the Fracture Liaison Service. In comparison to those without prevalent VFs, women with at least one prevalent vertebral fracture had significantly reduced total and trabecular vertebral bone mineral density (vBMD) and trabecular number, greater trabecular separation at the radius and tibia, and reduced cortical thickness and calculated ultimate failure load and compressive bone strength at the tibia, after adjustment for femoral neck BMD (FN aBMD) and other parameters. Moreover, more severe prevalent VFs had a correlation with even lower total and trabecular vBMD and reduced ultimate failure load and compressive stiffness at the radius and tibia and reduced trabecular number and higher trabecular separation at the radius. Hence, it was concluded that in women with a recent NVF, the presence and severity of prevalent VFs mirrors generalized bone deterioration, independently of FN aBMD.