Elderly women are more prone to spine Fractures
After the age of 45, there are certain hormonal changes in women that make them more prone to osteoporosis, which can cause the problem of a spine fracture. The situation of osteoporosis, it made the bones weak and it also increases the chances of crack or break. This is also called vertebral compression fractures. This spine fracture can create the problem while standing, walking, in sitting or lifting any objects and there can be a neurological deficit (limb weakness).
About Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis means reduces the density of bone minerals that makes the bone hollow, easy to break. It can be diagnosed by X-ray or DEXA scan. Low vitamins D levels in blood and also a healthy lifestyle should be adopted. To treat Osteoporosis, the patient should intake calcium and vitamin-D, should perform regular exercise, and indulge themselves in a healthy lifestyle, good exposure to sun and treatment under medical supersession like Bisphosphonates, Teriparatide, Denosumab or Calcitonin can be a better treatment Osteoporosis.
Treatment for Osteoporosis
For immediate treatment of spine fracture pain killers and bed rest are insisted. Other than this X-ray can diagnose a fracture, an MRI is suggested to know the clear picture of the fracture and any nerve compression. Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty can be done if there is no nerve compression. If there is a fracture, along with nerve or spinal cord compression, decompression and fixation are required with cement augmented screws and rods.
Know about Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty are the methods of injects bone cement into the fractured bone to strengthen it. This percutaneous method injects bone cement into the fractured bone (vertebra) to strengthen it. It is done in the operation theatre under mild sedation and local anesthesia and can treat more than one level simultaneously. A one level procedure takes about 30 minutes. In Kyphoplasty we additionally use an inflatable balloon to increase the height of the fractured vertebra. There is a dramatic relief in the pain after this. The patient is discharged within 24 hours of the procedure and can walk a day later. People often doubt whether spine surgery is safe or not? But with modern gadgets and technologies, spine surgery in elderly women is safe and the results are good.
