 Vertebral fractures VFs are the most common type of fracture in older adults, occurring in 20-35 of women and 15-25 of men over the age of 50, and are associated with significant morbidity, increased mortality, and annual costs exceeding 1 billion in the United States. However, limited understanding of the mechanisms beyond low vertebral bone mineral density and strength that lead to VFs hinders our ability to predict and prevent these injuries. 