Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis represents a thinning of the bones
with aging. It affects women more than men, and
progresses after menopause.
Exercise and calcium for osteoporosis
Weight bearing exercise and adequate calcium intake (1,500mg per day) will
help prevent osteoporosis. For women with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, newer
medications (e.g. Fosamax and Calcitonin) can help strengthen bone and prevent
further bone loss.
Osteoporosis by itself does not cause back pain.
However, it can result in back pain if the vertebral
body becomes weak enough so that it can no longer
withstand normal stress applied to it, or the
patient has a minor trauma (e.g. fall).
The weakened bone then fractures (insufficiency
fracture, osteoporotic fracture, or compression
fracture) and the spongy bone in the vertebral
body crushes into a flatter configuration. This
process does not always produce pain, but it
can be painful. The pain usually lasts for one
to three months. There is now a surgical procedure
to restore height to the vertebral body (kyphoplasty).
Other treatments for osteoporosis
Treatment for back pain from insufficiency fractures can include rigid braces
to help support the spine. Resting may help diminish symptoms, but long term
rest accelerates the bone thinning and can lead to more fractures. The fractures
almost always heal with time, and rarely need surgery. It is also rare for
osteoporotic insufficiency fractures to lead to neurological injuries.
By: Peter
F. Ullrich, Jr., MD
September 8, 1999
Updated February 28, 2001 |
