Like vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty uses acrylic bone cement to stabilize the spine and eliminate pain. An outpatient procedure, patients who undergo vertebroplasty can go home the same day. Using x-ray technology, acrylic bone cement is injected into the vertebrae to stabilize the bone fragments and provide pain relief. If a spinal compression fracture has been confirmed by an x-ray and has not responded to non-surgical treatments, one of the following surgical treatments may be recommended. Cronen can prescribe bone-building medications to slow bone density loss and help prevent future damage and the harmful long-term effects that may come with it. An orthotic device like a back brace may also be recommended to reduce pain and provide support while you heal.įor patients with fractures caused by osteoporosis, an orthopedic specialist like Dr. Your doctor may recommend short-term bed rest followed by a carefully guided and paced return to exercise and activity. Most compression fractures heal on their own without surgical intervention. Luckily, many of the long-term effects of spinal compression fractures can be prevented or lessened with early intervention from an orthopedic doctor. Geoffrey Cronen to help you feel like you again. Patients with severe kyphosis may also have trouble swallowing and experience acid reflux due to added pressure on the digestive tract.Ĭount on Dr. In severe cases, regular functions like walking, standing, looking up, and breathing can become strenuous and challenging. That’s because kyphosis can place additional strain on the body. Patients who experience kyphosis or a similar bending of the spine may also experience symptoms other than back pain. Kyphosis is a forward curvature of the spine that results in a stooped (hunched) posture. Severe spinal compression fractures may cause a condition called kyphosis. As the spine weakens and changes shape, some people may lose height as their spine becomes shorter. In older patients, the chronic pain caused by vertebral compression fractures can lead to a gradual loss of mobility. Over time, multiple fractures can cause the main portion of the vertebrae (the bones that make up the spine) to collapse, causing a great deal of pain and even altering the shape of your spine. Possible long-term effects of spinal compression fractures include: Often, patients don’t seek treatment until multiple compression fractures have occurred. Two-thirds of spinal compression fractures go undiagnosed because people assume back pain is just a normal part of getting older or that it will resolve on its own. Long-Term Effects of Spinal Compression Fractures It’s uncommon, but trauma to the spine, due to a fall or other incident, can also sometimes cause a spinal compression fracture to occur in an otherwise healthy patient. As these tumors grow, they can weaken the vertebrae and cause a compression fracture. While the vast majority of spinal compression fractures are related to osteoporosis, they can also be caused by bone metastasis-cancer that originates in a tumor elsewhere in the body and migrates to the bones. Osteoporosis can also cause the vertebrae to flatten, resulting in a rounded spine and more pressure on these vertebrae. As the disease progresses, the affected bones become weaker and more brittle, making them more susceptible to fracture. The most common cause of spinal fractures, osteoporosis occurs when bones lose minerals faster than the body can replace them. The following conditions can weaken the bones in the spinal column (also called vertebrae) over time and make it easier for a fracture to occur when you bend down or forward. This can make them tricky to identify early on, especially if they only cause mild back pain. Most spinal compression fractures occur gradually. Geoffrey Cronen explains the potential long-term effects of spinal compression fractures, as well as the treatment options that are currently available to relieve pain and prevent future fractures. Diagnosing and treating spinal compression fractures early on is key to preventing these devastating long-term effects. More common in women, an estimated 25% of postmenopausal women will experience at least one in their lifetime.įor elderly patients, the pain and immobility caused by these fractures can potentially diminish their quality of life and make it harder for them to live independently. It may be a symptom of a spinal compression fracture.Īlso referred to as vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), this type of fracture is common among women and men over the age of 50. But not all back pain should be ignored, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis or low bone density. As we age, it’s normal to experience back pain more often than when we were younger.
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