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Risk Factors for Vertebral Fractures After Vertebroplasty

Patients with osteoporosis are prone to compression fractures in the vertebrae (spinal bones). The front of a vertebra cracks under pressure, causing it to collapse in height. More than 700,000 such fractures occur every year in the United States. These fractures can be asymptomatic (no symptoms). But more often, they cause debilitating pain, poor back posture, and difficulty completing routine activities.There is a surgical procedure to help with this problem called vertebroplasty. The surgeon ...

Cement Leakage More Likely With Severe Vertebral Compression Fractures

Compression fractures are the most common type of fracture affecting the spine. A compression fracture of a spine bone (vertebra) causes the bone to collapse in height. A special surgical procedure called percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) has been used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures. But there have been some problems with that treatment from leakage of the cement used to repair the break.In this study from the Netherlands, surgeons try to identify risk factors for cement leakag...

Guidelines for the Treatment of Spine Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has just released Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) for the treatment of symptomatic (painful) spinal compression fractures. A brief summary of these guidelines is presented. These guidelines are based on research, published studies, and the resulting evidence currently available. The AAOS points out that all guidelines are intended to be used as one tool in the treatment decision. All patient characteristics and individual factors must be ta...

What is typical for an elderly person suffering vertebral compression fractures

My 88-year-old mother just suffered her first vertebral compression fracture. We are new to all this so we looked at your Patient Guide to Spinal Compression Fractures. But we have a few more questions. Mom's fracture is at the T5 level. The surgeon mentioned this was "unusual." What is more typical? Does it matter what level is affected? From your reading you now know that compression fractures are the most common type of fracture affecting the spine. A compression fracture of a spine bone (ver...

Current Efforts to Address Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis (decreased bone density) is a common problem for "older" adults -- and for many who don't consider themselves "older". For example, some people over age 50 who have risk factors for osteoporosis may find themselves facing this brittle bone disease much sooner than expected.Who should be screened? How can osteoporosis be prevented? Who should be treated and how? These are the questions addressed by the authors of this review article. The rise in numbers of older adults at risk has ca...

Does Having Scoliosis Mean I Will Also Get Osteoporosis

Researchers in Japan are investigating the link between scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and osteoporosis (brittle bones). They reviewed the medical records of 176 adults who had surgery for scoliosis. All patients were women between the ages of 26 and 82.The authors were interested in finding out if women with scoliosis were more likely to develop osteoporosis as a result of having the scoliosis. Other studies have suggested a link between osteoporosis and scoliosis. Does it go both ways?Ther...

Is osteoporosis related to scolosis

My 83-year-old mother has started to develop scoliosis. Is it because she has osteoporosis? No one seems to know why this is happening to her. Studies show that adults with osteoporosis may be six times more likely to develop scoliosis compared with someone who does not have osteoporosis. But other researchers have not been able to confirm a direct relationship between scoliosis and osteoporosis. It's possible that age is the real underlying factor.There are two main types of scoliosis in adults...

Predicting Osteoporosis Through a Few Questions

Wouldn't it be nice if all you had to do to find out if you have osteoporosis is answer a few simple questions? No testing required. No special X-rays. Well, thanks to the work of some German researchers, it's easier than ever to predict who might be at risk for osteoporosis.What could be better than a simple, safe screening tool that doesn't cost a lot of money? Can something that good be true? Let's take a look at the study and see what they had to say.A 21-item questionnaire was developed by ...

Kyphoplasty to Treat Vertebral Compression Fractures

Surgeons Compare Techniques for Kyphoplasty to Treat Vertebral Compression Fractures Patients experiencing pain and loss disability from vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) may find relief with a procedure called balloon kyphoplasty. The procedure is designed to restore height of the fractured and collapsed vertebra (spinal bone).Compression fractures are the most common type of fracture affecting the spine.Multiple-level vertebral compression fractures are commonly the result of osteoporosi...

Chances of Second Vertebral Fracture Increase with Steroid Use

Our senior adults are at risk for vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) due to low bone density and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Other risk factors include advancing age, steroid use, tobacco use (smoking), sex (female), and thoracic kyphosis (forward curve of the mid-spine).Treatment is important in order to reduce pain, prevent disability, and maintain independence. Kyphoplasty is one treatment option but there's a concern about a second (or third) vertebral compression fracture (VCF) after ...

How long does it take to heal from a compression fracture at T7-8?

My granddaughter is typing this for me. I am in the hospital with a compression fracture at T7-8. While I'm waiting for the doctor to come in and talk with me I'm trying to find out how long it takes to heal up from something like this. It's pretty painful. Compression fractures are the most common type of fracture affecting the spine. A compression fracture of a spine bone (vertebra) causes the bone to collapse in height. Compression fractures are commonly the result of osteoporosis.But you are...

What You Need to Know About Osteoporosis

Physical Therapy in Merrick and Amityville for Osteoporosis This article will provide Summit Physical Therapy patients with infromation about what osteoporosis is, the risk factors, and what you can do to manage it.

Physicians and Patients Can Both Join in the Fight Against Osteoporosis

Summit Physical Therapy came across this article that outlines treatment options for those with osteoporosis, and how assistance from a Physical Therapist can make your home and regular activities safer

Another Look at Major Complications with Vertebroplasty

Just about the time a surgical procedure becomes fairly standard and accepted as an effective treatment approach to a problem, someone steps in and takes a look back to see if, indeed, all is well. In this case series (seven patients), major and minor complications of vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures are reviewed. Vertebroplasty gives surgeons a way to fix the broken bone without the problems associated with open surgery. Surgeons hold the fragmented bone in place by squeezing ...

Major Challenge in the Treatment of Osteoporosis

Fractures (especially hip fractures) from osteoporosis (brittle bones) are on the rise worldwide. In fact, hip fractures are expected to increase by 200 to 300 percent in men and women around the world.There is a drug treatment for osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates such as alendronate (Fosamax) or risedronate (Actonel) help slow down how fast the bone is resorbed (destroyed). Everyday new bone cells are formed and old bone cells are resorbed or destroyed. During childhood, new bone cells are formed ...
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