Osteoporosis & Spine

What is Osteoporosis ?

It is by far the most common metabolic disease. It is characterized by the diffuse reduction in the bone density due to decrease in bone mass. It occurs when the rate of bone resorption exceeds the rate of bone formation. Osteoporosis is defined by the world health organization (WHO) in women as a bone mineral density 2.5 standard deviation below the peak bone mass (20year old healthy female) as measured by DEXA.

• 1. What are the risk factors to develop Osteoporosis?
• 2. Certain people are more likely to develop this disease than others.
• 3. Females-Post menopausal
• 4. Thin and/or small frame
• 5. Advanced age/Senility
• 6. Family history of osteoporosis

Vertebral fractures in Osteoporosis ?

The vertebral fractures may result from a fall or an history may not be recalled by the patient as they are caused by trivial events like bending ,lifting, stretching, turning coughing etc. They are found in 5 – 10% females at 60 yrs, rising to 30 -40 % by 80 yrs. They most commonly involve T 7 –T 8 &T 12 - L 1. A fracture in the region of T 2 – T6 likely to be anything else but osteoporosis fractures.

What is Vertebroplasty ?

Vertebroplasty in a minimally invasive procedure in which PMMA bone cement is injected into the vertebral body under fluoroscopic guidance; with the help of special needles. This procedures is performed under local anesthesia and IV sedation and the goal of this procedure is to decrease the pain associated with the osteoporotic compression fractures.

What is Kyphoplasty ?

Kyphoplasty is a specialized procedure to treat osteoporotic fractures. It is also a minimally invasive technique and involves the use of special balloon tamps to elevate the vertebral end plates and thus reduce the fracture deformity. The advantages are better height restoration and lesser cement leaks as compared to Vertebroplasty.

How long will the procedure take ?

It usually takes 15-20 minutes to accomplish the procedure. There are no stitches.

When will I walk after the procedure ?

You will be made to work as soon as the effect of the anesthetic agents wears off. There will only be minimal pain after the procedure which will be easily managed with medication.

How to management osteoporosis ?

The best cure is prevention. Good diet, exercise and medication. Various medications are vailable for the management of Osteoporosis apart from calcium and vitamin D such as SERMS, Calcitonin, Bisphosphonates and Teraparatide (recombinant PTH). See your doctor and a tailor made plan can be formulated for you.