Osteoporosis is a chronic disease associated with low bone density and weak bones. In fact, the word osteoporosis means “porous bones.”
Affecting more than 200 million people worldwide, osteoporosis is most often associated with postmenopausal women, although the disease can affect men, too. What many people don’t know is that osteoporosis is also associated with compression fractures, tiny, wedge-shaped breaks that occur in your spine bones or vertebrae.
Zaid Malik, MD, and the team at Superior Pain Relief help patients relieve the painful symptoms of compression fractures with an advanced surgical procedure called kyphoplasty. In honor of Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month, we’re dedicating this post to helping readers develop a better understanding of the link between osteoporosis and compression fractures, as well as the important role of kyphoplasty.
When you’re young, your body continually replaces old, worn bone tissue with new, healthy tissue to keep your bones strong. But as you age, this process changes: Your body can’t keep up with the demand for new bone tissue, which means old tissue isn’t replaced at the same rate. As a result, bones weaken and the risk of fractures increases, especially in your spine.
In fact, compression fractures are the most common type of osteoporosis-related fractures, happening about twice as frequently as other related fractures, such as in the hip or arm. Compression fractures are also far more common among older women due to the decline in estrogen levels that happens during menopause.
Compression fractures happen when one or more vertebrae weaken and collapse, narrowing the space between the spine bones. These fractures squeeze the spongy discs between your vertebrae and irritate nerves as they exit your spine.
Many people with compression fractures experience persistent back pain, along with symptoms like pain or numbness in their arms, legs, or other areas of their body. Without intervention, these tiny spine fractures can lead to nerve damage and permanent disability.
Kyphoplasty is a surgical technique designed specifically for the treatment of compression fractures. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that uses a special surgical cement to restore the space between your vertebrae and stabilize the weakened area of your spine.
During your procedure, Dr. Malik uses a special real-time X-ray to visualize the area of your spine where the fracture is located. Using the images for guidance, he makes a tiny incision and inserts a thin tube called a catheter into the fractured area. The catheter contains a tiny surgical balloon. Once in place, he deploys the balloon and gently inflates it to restore the normal space between the vertebrae.
Next, he injects the quick-hardening surgical cement into the space created by the balloon, providing permanent support for the damaged part of your spine. The entire procedure is performed using sedation, and in most cases, you return home the same day with complete aftercare instructions.
You might be a little sore for a few days afterward, but you’ll be able to walk around shortly after your treatment, resuming other activities as your spine heals.
When you have osteoporosis, you’re at risk. Compression fractures can cause a lot of pain, and without prompt treatment, they can lead to permanent disability.
To learn more about kyphoplasty and how it can help protect your health and independence, request an appointment online or over the phone today with the team at Superior Pain Relief in Houston, Baytown, Willis, and The Woodlands, Texas.
