OSTEOPOROSIS CAN LEAD TO SPONTANEOUS FRACTURES OF A VERTEBRAE ESPECIALLY IN THE THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINE. WOMEN ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO SUCH FRACTURES AND A BONE DENSITY SCAN AND TREATMENT FOR OSTEOPOROSIS BY YOUR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN CARE HELP PREVENT THESE FRACTURES. THE SPINE IS NOT THE ONLY SKELETAL AREA AFFECTED BY OSTEOPOROSIS. THE X-RAY IMAGE BELOW SHOWS THE POOR CALCIFICATION OF THE VERTEBRAL COLUMN ALMOST ALLOWING THE OBSERVER TO SEE THROUGH THE BONE. THESE FRACTURES CAN OCCUR SPONTANEOUSLY OR AFTER A TRAUMATIC FALL OR DUE TO A TUMOR WEAKENING THE BONE. THE IMAGE SHOWS THE L1 FRACTURE 3 MONTHS AFTER INJURY. THE PATIENT DID NOT REQUIRE NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY AND RECOVERED WITH MEDICATIONS AND BRACING USING A CORSET AND AVOIDANCE OF STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES. WALKING AND EXERCISE WILL BE NEEDED LONG TERM TO HELP WITH PREVENTION OF FURTHER BONE LOSS AND IMPROVE UPON THE STRENGTH OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM. THE PATIENT HAD CAREFUL FOLLOW UP CLINICAL EVALUATION AND HAD NO NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENT AND MINIMAL DISCOMFORT . HOWEVER ACUTE AND CHRONIC PAIN DUE TO OSTEOPOROTIC COMPRESSION FRACTURES CAN BE TREATED WITH A PERCUTANEOUS KYPHOPLASTY OPERATION IF MEDICAL MANAGEMENT FAILS OR SYMPTOMS REMAIN SEVERE AND DEBILITATING. CT SCANS AND NEUROLOGICAL EVALUATION AND MEDICAL EVALUATION WILL BE NEEDED BEFORE DETERMINATION OF THE PROPER PATIENT TO UNDERGO THE KYPHOPLASTY PROCEDURE. THE GOAL OF THE KYPHOPLASTY IS TO REDUCE THE PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRACTURE AND IMPROVE UPON THE KYPHOTIC DEFORMITY OF THE SPINAL COLUMN. THE KYPHOSIS OR ANGULATION OF THE SPINAL COLUMN CAN BE SEEN ON THESE IMAGES BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OSTEOPOROSIS CLICK HERE AND READ INFORMATION FROM THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS.
