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Our elders often complain of back pain, especially while standing or walking, and it progresses over time. That's not just it! Fractures result from minor injuries. In the Indian population, osteoporotic spinal compression fractures are a primary cause of disability and related morbidities.
Let’s learn about osteoporotic wedge compression fracture in detail, a medical condition that makes bones brittle and prone to fracture as we age. It's a painful condition that often leads to decreased mobility and affects your quality of life. But there is hope, and when it comes to improving the quality of life of people, medical science has always been a saviour.
What Is Osteoporotic Wedge Compression Fracture?
Vertebral compression fractures are most commonly caused by a fall. However, persons with osteoporosis can suffer a fracture while performing routine activities, including stretching, bending, coughing, and sneezing. A wedge-shaped spinal compression fracture (arrow) is visible.
Osteoporosis is a progressive loss of bone mass in the skeletal system. Bone loss occurs in proportion to ageing, causing changes in bone microstructure and an increased risk of fractures.
The common symptoms associated with osteoporotic wedge compression include the following:
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Severe lumbar or back pain
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Spinal deformities
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Muscle atrophy
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Decreased mobility
Visit a top hospital for osteoporotic wedge compression fracture treatment in Old Airport Road if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
What are My Treatment Options for Osteoporotic Wedge Compression Fracture?
Every year, 1.4 million individuals with spinal compression fractures undergo clinical treatment worldwide, with most patients achieving satisfactory results through conservative or surgical therapy. The treatment for osteoporotic wedge compression fracture depends on the severity of the fracture and your overall health status.
Following are a few common treatment modes that are involved in treating osteoporotic wedge compression fracture:
Pain Management
Pain is the most common and initial symptom of this fracture. So to manage pain, the doctor advises using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or opioid analgesics to alleviate pain.
Rest, Braces, and Physical Therapy
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Bed rest, brace use, and physical therapy are recommended.
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Rest and immobilisation help reduce pain and promote healing. However, prolonged bed rest is also not advisable as it can lead to other complications, including muscle atrophy, pressure ulcers, and thromboembolism.
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Casts may also be used for immobilisation.
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Physical therapy improves flexibility and strength, increasing the motion in the affected area.
Surgery
A surgical approach is needed in cases of severe fracture causing neurological symptoms or when conservative treatment isn't working. Two types of surgical procedures are used to treat this condition, both being minimally invasive:
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Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive treatment option in severe cases of osteoporotic wedge compression fractures. It's done outpatient, but overnight stay may be recommended in a few cases if required. The whole procedure of Vertebroplasty takes one to two hours, depending on the number of vertebrae to be treated.
The procedure can be done under local anaesthesia and intravenous (IV) sedation or general anaesthesia. It's an x-ray-guided mechanism in which a small needle containing specially formulated acrylic bone cement is used to inject into the collapsed vertebra. Once delivered, this cement that has been injected hardens within minutes, thus stabilising and strengthening the fractured vertebra.
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Kyphoplasty
Kyphoplasty also works on the same mechanism as vertebroplasty. Here, a balloon creates space and causes an increase in the height of the collapsed bone. The spaces created by the balloons are then filled with cement.
What are the Advantages of Osteoporotic Wedge Compression Fracture Treatment?
Different treatment modalities work with varying degrees of complexity and extent of recovery. The advantages of treating osteoporotic wedge compression fracture include the following:
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Pain Relief
The main aim of this treatment is to relieve the pain responsible for hampering your quality of life. Depending on the treatment plan, you should feel significant pain relief once completed.
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Improved Mobility
Conservative treatment, such as physical therapy, aims to improve your spinal mobility.
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Reduced Risk of Complications
Treating osteoporotic wedge compression fractures at an early stage reduces the risk of complications that may occur in future, such as spinal deformity, nerve damage, or chronic pain.
What are the Risks Involved with Osteoporotic Wedge Compression Fracture Treatment?
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The risks involved in treating osteoporotic wedge compression fractures are minimal as minimally invasive surgical procedures are employed for your treatment.
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Bleeding or infection may occur if proper sterilisation and precautions aren't taken, as advised by the doctor. Possible side effects of pain medications are constipation, dizziness, or nausea.
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An osteoporotic wedge compression fracture is a condition common in the elderly because of the reduction in bone density. The treatment for it depends on the fracture's severity and the individual's overall health. It can provide significant pain relief, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of complications.
Consult the best spine doctor in Old Airport Road for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic wedge compression fracture.
FAQs
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How do you know whether you have an osteoporotic wedge compression fracture?
Symptoms may include severe back discomfort, trouble standing up straight, a loss of height, and a slumped posture.
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How do you diagnose an osteoporotic wedge compression fracture?
Imaging investigations such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs are commonly used to make a diagnosis. To rule out osteoporosis, a bone density test may be conducted.
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What are alternatives for treating an osteoporotic wedge compression fracture?
Pain medication, rest, bracing, physiotherapy, and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a nutritious diet may be used in treatment. Surgery may be required in some circumstances.
