Spinal Fractures and Osteoporosis

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New Options Available To Treat Spinal Fractures From Osteoporosis

(HealthNewsDigest.com)-Doctors have found a surprising way to help

spines fractured by osteoporosis.

This disease, in which bones become fragile and easily broken, causes

over 700,000 spinal fractures annually in the U.S.-more than in the

hip and wrist combined. Approximately two-thirds of all spinal

fractures go undiagnosed or untreated due to the absence of symptoms

or difficulty determining the cause of symptoms, leading some to call

osteoporosis a " silent disease. "

Since 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men older than 50 will

have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime and bone loss

can begin as early as 25, now is the time to take a closer look at

osteoporosis and new options for treating fractures caused by

osteoporosis. Through proper diagnosis and treatment, spinal fracture

sufferers can significantly improve their ability to perform normal

activities of daily living and enjoy an overall improvement in their

quality of life.

Dr. Garfin, Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopedics,

University of California, San Diego and past-president of the North

American Spine Society, offers some answers.

How common is osteoporosis and to what might it lead?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation cites osteoporosis as a major

public health threat affecting 44 million Americans. While a calcium-

rich diet, weight-bearing exercise and the avoidance of smoking and

excessive alcohol can help prevent bone mass loss, osteoporosis ranks

second only to cardiovascular disease as a leading health care

problem according to the World Health Organization.

With osteoporosis, bones in our spine, hips and wrist deteriorate and

might become susceptible to fractures. In the spine, small fractures

cause the bones to compress upon each other (called vertebral

compression fractures or VCFs). Left untreated, these VCFs create a

curvature of the spine, sometimes referred to as " dowager's hump. "

Over time, this curvature can become more pronounced, painful and

debilitating.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis?

Bone loss happens without notice-it doesn't hurt or cause much

trouble at first, though left unchecked it might cause a lifetime of

disability and even hasten death. Talk to your doctor about bone

health and taking a bone density test.

What happens to you if you have a spinal fracture?

After experiencing one fracture, continued bone loss raises the risk

of a future fracture fivefold. In addition, just one fracture affects

how weight is distributed through the spine, thus placing higher than

normal stress on the front of the spine which contributes to the risk

of future fracture. With additional fractures, it can become

progressively difficult to walk, eat, and sleep due to pain and the

unnatural compression. See a doctor to determine your condition and

appropriate treatment, as there may be different explanations for why

you are experiencing back pain.

What options do I have if I suffer a spinal fracture?

Traditional treatments for spinal fractures include extended bed

rest, pain medication and back braces, all of which can relieve pain

but do not address the deformity caused by the fracture. Open surgery

is also an option, but it is more invasive than nonsurgical

management and is typically reserved for patients with neurological

complications. Balloon Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure,

is designed to repair the fracture and restore the vertebra to the

correct position. Balloon Kyphoplasty has been demonstrated to

significantly reduce back pain, correct spinal deformity and improve

quality of life.

How is Balloon Kyphoplasty performed?

Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can be

performed under local or general anesthesia. It typically takes less

than one hour to treat each fracture and may require an overnight

hospital stay.

Does Insurance Cover Balloon Kyphoplasty?

In most cases, Medicare provides coverage for kyphoplasty. Other

insurance may also provide coverage.

What can Balloon Kyphoplasty do for me?

Balloon Kyphoplasty can restore vertebral body height, significantly

reduce back pain and increase mobility, often shortly after the

procedure. In addition to pain reduction, patients experience an

increased ability to return to such simple, everyday activities as

walking, reaching, bending and lifting. Patients also report improved

mental health, vitality, social function and emotional health.

Is Balloon Kyphoplasty safe?

Although the complication rate with Balloon Kyphoplasty has been

demonstrated to be low, as with most surgical procedures, there are

risks associated with Balloon Kyphoplasty, including serious

complications. Patients should consult with their doctor for a full

discussion of the risks.

Where can I find more

information?

See www.kyphon.com.

• Dr. Garfin is a Scientific Advisory Board member for Kyphon Inc.,

the manufacturer of devices for performing Balloon Kyphoplasty.

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