Spine Fracture Due to Osteoporosis
Spine fracture due to osteoporosis is very common and as a matter of fact, approximately 700,000 people in the United States alone are suffering from this disorder each year.
The problem with spine fracture is that it is not diagnosed and treated most of the time. People always think of it as a simple back pain from muscle strain, injury in the soft tissue or as a normal part of getting old.
Spine fracture due to osteoporosis is often triggered by minor strain to the spine like lifting heavy objects or falling while some cases can be triggered by something as simple as sneezing or coughing.
Spine fracture is typically followed by severe back pain that eventually turns into chronic pain, deformity and constriction of internal organs. Combination of any of these medical conditions can cause changes in an individual's looks that can harmfully affect self confidence and the ability to perform daily activities.
Spine fracture is not only present in old people. It can also be experienced by people aged 40 to 50 years old. Osteoporosis is known to have little to no symptoms at all until a fracture of the vertebrae occurs so it is very unusual for someone with back pain to be aware that he already has a broken vertebra in his spine.
Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle and thin. When this happens the bones become weak and can break due to too much pressure. The thin and weakened bones can collapse while performing daily activities that may lead to spine fracture thus causing great amount of pain. Also, it can change the shape of your spine permanently.
Spine fracture is also called compression fracture. It is typically defined as a vertebra that decreased in height because of fracture. Compression fracture may occur anywhere along the spine but most of the time it tends to occur in the thoracic spine or upper back.
Spine fracture often results in lodging of the vertebra. However, since most of the damage is present in the front column of the vertebrae, the fracture is generally stable and seldom connected with any spinal or nerve damage.
Unlike other conditions, spine fractu
re can be immediately treated before severe complications occur. Usually the first symptom of osteoporosis is a fracture and by the time it occurs, osteoporosis may already be in an advanced condition. Most of the time an individual is already more susceptible to more fractures in the vertebrae during this state so it is best that you consult a spine specialist as soon as possible to prevent further damages.
