Our bones are always working to create new tissue to replace old bone, and osteoporosis occurs when our bodies can no longer produce enough healthy bone to offset natural decay. This can lead to a weakening of our bones, putting us at a higher risk for a fracture. Osteoporosis is common in patients over the age of 50, especially in women, as they are four times more likely than men to suffer from the condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how you can work to prevent osteoporosis-related spinal fractures.
Osteoporosis And Your Spine
Osteoporosis can affect all bones in your body, but the spine is a common place for osteoporosis to set in and cause problems, simply because the area is large and handles a lot of stress. Osteoporosis is one of the leading causes of vertebral compression fractures, especially in older women. Roughly 40 percent of women will have suffered a vertebral compression by the age of 80, and the belief is that the percentage should actually be higher because a number of these compression fractures go undiagnosed.
Osteoporosis isn’t something that you can target in a specific spot, like with a corticosteroid injection, so prevention is preferred to treatment. Preventing osteoporosis is achieved through healthy techniques that focus on diet, weight management and controlled exercise to strengthen supportive structures and take pressure off the spine. Some of the most common ways to help rescue your osteoporosis risk and in turn your spinal fracture risk include:
- Improved Nutrition – Increase your vitamin and mineral intake so that your body has the nutrients it needs to promote strong bone health.
- Exercise – Exercise helps to promote healthy blood flow and push oxygenated blood to structures that rely on it to thrive.
- Weight Management – Through diet and exercise improvements, you can work towards a healthier weight, which will take pressure off your spine or any other areas affected by osteoporosis.
- Vitamin Supplementation – If you’re struggling to get enough Vitamin D or calcium in your diet through natural means, consider supplements to aid in bone health.
- Posture Improvements – While it may not reduce your osteoporosis risk, posture improvements can help to reduce your risk of a fracture as a result of your weakened spinal vertebrae.
- Clinical Assistance – Finally, if you’re still struggling with osteoporosis pain or other complications associated with the condition, reach out to your primary care physician or a spine specialist like Dr. Jackman. We can help set you up with individualized treatment plans to address your specific needs.
While many osteoporosis-related spinal fractures may heal on their own without surgical intervention, they are still painful and can limit your mobility, so it’s best to work to avoid them, especially if you’re older in age. For more information about osteoporosis-related fracture risk or help with your spinal condition, reach out to Dr. Jackman and the team at the Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today.
