Osteoporosis & Vertabra Fracture - Osteoporosis Message Board

NancyEllen · 09-21-2005, 04:02 PM

My 85 year old aunt fractured a vertabra in her spine due to osteoporsis. Has anyone had any experience with this? It looks like there is nothing to be done except rest, being careful, pain meds. I am at her house three times a day taking care of her. Home and health care came in today.

Any knowledge regarding this would be great help. Thanks.

taape · 09-21-2005, 06:11 PM

Nancy Ellen,
There is a surgical intervention available if she is able to undergo surgery. I can't remember the name of the procedure but the surgeon goes in and straightens out the person's vertebrae and puts a type of cement in there so it stays the way it should. Patients posture improves because they aren't leaning over anymore. Not everyone gets pain relief from it though.

squirrly · 09-21-2005, 09:04 PM

I fractured the thoracic T-10 in January, and am still taking pain med (Ultram) about 3 times a day. At the time, I was advised first to have the cement injected (Verteboplasty), but later not to. Dr said if I were 80-90, it would be ok. I'm 74. I have heard of older women that had it done and it really helped the pain. Guess the orthopedists no longer recommend the procedure, due to the cement making that vertebae so hard, that the ones surrounding it would then fracture. Anyway, I wore a brace for 3 months to prevent stooping. Even now, I'm not to lift more than 6-8 lbs. Dr said these fractures take a long, long, long time to heal at our age. Now I know that's so true!

squirrly · 09-21-2005, 09:09 PM

Corrected spelling: Vertebroplasty