Osteoporosis of the Spine (Symptoms, Prevention and Treatment)

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In people with osteoporosis, vertebrae (or also familiar called as spines) are one of the most common areas affected by the disease. And there are some complications that are generated by osteoporosis of the spine - such as back pain, hunched forward posture, lost height, etc. Even there is also a chance for patient to experience multiple vertebral fractures (a serious condition that may interfere with other internal organs of patient). You may also be interested to know about ‘can osteoporosis be reversed?’!

Since osteoporosis can generate extremely immobility and disfigurement, most of the treatments are usually focused on how to maintain and improve bone mass which then eventually intended to reduce the risk of developing consequences of the disease (particularly such as hip and spine fractures).

Understanding spine fractures in osteoporosis!

Osteoporosis can cause a vertebral compression fracture - therefore preventing osteoporosis is the most effective choice to prevent compression fractures in the spine.

Spine fractures can affect the abilities of patient to lift an object, walk, stand, or sit. These fractures involve bones of spinal column. In essence, they can be a serious complication for anyone. 

Even sometimes they can be very debilitating that can result a significantly impact and difficulty for patient to make small movements. Sometimes, spine fractures also can lead to independence loss (patients can lose their abilities to care themselves).

These fractures are also often referred to as vertebral/spinal compression fractures. Compression fractures are fractures in the bone that are generated by the compression/pressure of one bone against another. In vertebral compression fractures, the fractures that occur involve bones of vertebrae. 

Furthermore, vertebral compressions fractures also can be caused by traumatic accidents because there is a chance of over load /pressure placed on the spine exceeds its stability, which then eventually it may collapse. And over load /pressure on the spine can be created after a fall.

Osteoporosis of the spine symptoms

Anyone who have a significant back pain (severe & sudden back pain), especially for women who are closely to 50 years of age or over should see a doctor promptly to get a clearly diagnosis. It may be a warning sign of osteoporosis of the spine (vertebral compression fracture) or another sign of serious health problems.

Other signs that may also occur include:

1. Decreased height of the body which usually occurs gradually over time.
2. Worsening pain, particularly when walking or just standing. Pain may also occur when twisting /bending!
3. Dowager’s hump or also familiar called hunchback shape. It is deformity of the vertebrae.

In some cases, the pain of spinal compression fracture may relieve when lying down. Furthermore, slight back strains of daily activities (such as when making a misstep, lifting a bag, etc) usually can trigger the pain to occur.  

The pain of vertebrae compression fracture can vary! In some patients, the paint may continue, even when the fracture is healed. But in many cases, the pain subsides when the bone is healing. Moreover, when a fracture occurs, not every patient experiences a clear-cut vertebrae pain.

Sometimes, there is also virtually no pain created with a vertebrae compression fracture. The compression fractures may develop so gradually which then cause only mild or even unnoticeable pain. 

And in some patients, the gradual curving of vertebrae can be the first sign of multiple fractures. 

Symptoms of multiple vertebrae fractures

As mentioned before, osteoporosis of the spine also can cause multiple vertebrae compression fractures. These fractures signal that there is considerable change in the vertebrae, which may then cause other serious health problems (particularly can affect the body functions and even internal organs).

The following are some signs of multiple spinal compression fractures:

1. With every fracture in the bone of spinal, the spine can lose the height which then eventually can cause height loss (particularly after several collapsed vertebrae). 
2. The spine fractures also can result wedge-shaped spinal bones, as a result many patients also often experience ‘curved back’ or also familiar called ‘Kyphosis’. This process may also be followed with back & neck pain as the body needs to adapt!
3. Patient may also experience weight loss, poor of appetite, and even constipation due to digestive problems. A digestive problem can develop when a shorter vertebrae compresses the stomach!
4. There is also a chance for shorter vertebrae to cause the closer distance between the rib cage and the hip. If hip and rib bones are too closer, they can rub against each other, as a result patient can experience hip pain!
5. And when there is severely compressed of the spine, this can affect the lungs to work! As a result, patient may also experience breathing problems.

How can you prevent osteoporosis of the spine?

Ways to prevent or reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis of the spine is closely similar to the major steps to prevent osteoporosis. 

In general, there are 3 major points you should concern as well to lower your risk. These include having adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D, and don’t forget to do exercise (get more physical activities to train more your bones to keep healthy, particularly with strengthening and weight-bearing exercise)! Read more tips to prevent osteoporosis!

Avoid also bad lifestyles that may increase your risk. If you are smoker, stop it because cigarette smoking is linked to some problems associated with the bone. Furthermore, excessive alcohol use also should be avoided. Excessive alcohol that you consume can affect the ability of your body to absorb calcium.

In addition, there is an effective option to get to know ‘how dense your bone is’! You can do a BMD test (a bone mineral density measurement). See a doctor for depth-information about this test and how to perform it! Always remember that the prevention is the best treatment!

How about with the treatment?

Once again, treatment of osteoporosis is more intended to maintain and improve bone density, which then can be helpful to reduce or prevent the risk of developing bone fractures. In osteoporosis of the spine, the treatment is usually purposed to relieve the pain and prevent the next injuries or other consequences of the disease! 

The medications and treatment are usually also combined with the appropriately exercise and changes in diet (in order to maintain or increase calcium and vitamin D intake).

For severe cases, some advance procedures (such as vertebroplasty) may be required. Vertebroplasty is usually more focused to treat a problematic collapse. It is intended to restore the bone’s height by using radiologist intervention. It usually also involves the injection of cement into spine in order to reduce the risk of further collapse and to stabilize the fracture. Consult more with a doctor for in-depth information! 

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Reference: WebMD