Paraspinal muscle fatty degeneration as a predictor of progressive vertebral collapse in osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

•The paraspinal muscles play a critical role in the stability and functional movement of the spine.•Paraspinal muscles prevent excessive forward flexion and reduce the load on the anterior column and vertebral body in osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients.•Fatty degeneration of the paraspinal muscle is a predictive factor for progressive vertebral body collapse in OVCF patients.