As you age, the bones in your spine become weaker and more brittle, which often develops into a disease called osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis affects all the bones in your body, the most vulnerable area is your spine. In fact, spinal fractures – also known as vertebral compression fractures – are experienced by up to 700,000 elderly individuals each year.
To combat this disease, it is important to first understand the specifics of spinal compression fractures and the risks involved:
Your spine consists of 24 vertebrae, which are separated by inter-vertebral disks for cushioning and shock absorption and held together by the spinal cord. This flexible system remains straight while you are young but gradually bends as the vertebrae weaken and flatten with age. In this weakened state, your spine is at a significantly higher risk of fracture in the case of a fall as well as everyday activities such as reaching, bending or even sneezing and coughing.
If you experience severe back pain or have been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis, there are a number of solutions that your orthopedic physician may recommend. A common surgical solution for a spinal fracture is vertebroplasty. Through a relatively simple outpatient surgery, a specialized bone cement is injected into the weakened vertebrae as a preventative measure against fractures and/or for the purpose of stabilizing existing fractures.
Vertebroplasty is an effective solution with high rates of successful results. Most patients experience immediate pain relief and improved mobility, allowing them to return to their regular daily activities soon after completion of the procedure.
Why let your age dictate what you can or cannot do when solutions for your back pain could be achieved by speaking with a pain management doctor? If you are ready to discuss your concerns and learn whether you require vertebroplasty or another treatment, please do not hesitate to contact your pain management specialist at Ashutosh Hospital, Vadodara, Gujarat.
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