Osteoporosis is a disease of the skeletal system that causes progressive bone loss. While bone density reaches its maximum around the age of thirty, it continuously decreases in the following years. Although bone mass continues to be formed, it is not sufficient to counteract the loss. Over time, bones lose their usual stability, increasing the risk of breaks and fractures. A well-known diagnosis in older patients after falls is the femoral neck fracture.
Vertebrae can also be affected, losing stability due to reduced load-bearing capacity from bone loss and potentially breaking. This is especially common in older individuals, with women being much more frequently affected than men.
Often, a minor injury to the spine or a hasty bend to pick up an object is enough. This is referred to as osteoporotic vertebral fractures. These cause severe pain and can restrict mobility to the extent that older patients are sometimes bedridden. This, in turn, can lead to further complications such as pneumonia and thrombosis.
Since usually more than one vertebra is affected, it can even lead to the formation of a hump, which is not only visually disturbing but also extremely sensitive to touch. Therefore, it is of great urgency, aside from the patient's pain, to treat these vertebral fractures.
As always, your orthopedist in Düsseldorf will initially try to conduct treatment in a conservative manner. This, of course, depends on the stage of the disease. To alleviate the pain, painkillers will be used to mitigate it. At the same time, gentle attempts will be made to restore mobility with physiotherapeutic measures. One should expect a treatment duration of three to four months.
Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures. In this procedure, bone cement is injected into the damaged vertebral body through a small access point in the back. This method stabilizes the vertebra, alleviates pain, and improves mobility. However, compared to other procedures like kyphoplasty, vertebroplasty allows for only limited realignment of the vertebra.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive surgical method for treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures. Unlike vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty involves first inserting a balloon catheter into the affected vertebra and inflating it to restore the vertebral body. The resulting cavity is then filled with bone cement to restore stability and alleviate pain symptoms.
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty offer an effective and safe option for the treatment of vertebral fractures, especially when conservative therapies fail.
This method is relatively new but achieves excellent treatment results. This titanium cage is inserted into the vertebra through a small hole like an expansion plug and realigns it. It is then stabilized with bone cement. The implant fuses with the bone and provides a stable framework. Stabilization with bone cement is the method of choice because osteoporosis reduces the bone supply, and fixation with screws often does not work sufficiently.
All the surgical methods described here are gentle and low-risk for the patient. Additionally, pain relief and normal mobility often occur within the days following surgery.
In our practice, we specialize in osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Düsseldorf. We perform both conservative treatment and direct surgery on the vertebra.
If you belong to the patient group with a vertebral fracture or suspect one, we are the right contact for you. Your well-being is very important to us, and we are happy to provide you with a competent examination and a personal consultation. Simply schedule an appointment online or call us directly during our office hours at the respective practice phone number. We look forward to seeing you.
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