Vertebral Osteoporotic Fractures

Osteoporosis is a disease which occurs to bone and thereby leading to an increased risk of fracture to the bone.

Vertebral Osteoporosis and low bone density are some of the major risk factors for morbidity and mortality in older adults. These situations are characterized by poor bone strength and are related with an increased risk of fractures from even slightly traumatic events, such as falls. Vertebral fractures are the characteristics of osteoporosis but hip, wrist and other fractures are also common. Low bone density may be a silent condition until a complication occurs.

Osteoporotic fractures are one of the major health concerns for people. Most recent evidence from clinical and epidemiologic trials on osteoporosis has increased the necessity for accurate analysis of vertebral fractures. Regardless of the fact that the vertebral fractures are common among peoples and are associated with decreased quality of their life, they are often undetected by clinicians and are under-diagnosed by radiologists.

BMD test or bone mass measurement is a method used to calculate bone thickness or density and to determine fracture risk for osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) test can also be used to find out how useful an osteoporosis treatment is to the patient. When the bone mineral density (BMD) is reduced, bone micro architecture is disrupted, and the amount and variety of non-collagenous proteins in bone is altered.

The diagnosis of osteoporosis can be achieved by measuring the bone mineral density (BMD). The most commonly used method for BMD test is dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA or DEXA). Besides the detection of abnormal BMD, the diagnosis of osteoporosis needs examination of the problems like cancer with metastasis to the bone, multiple myeloma, Cushing's disease etc. These can be done with blood tests and X-rays.

Osteoporosis is a state in which bone mineral density is 2.5 standard deviations below the average bone density in gender matched young adults. Osteopenia is a less advanced state of low bone mineral density. The risk of fracture increases two to three times for every 10 percent drop in bone density. Greater attention should be given to the early diagnosis and treatment of low bone density as well as the prevention of Osteoporotic fractures. Several medications have recently been labeled for the treatment of osteoporosis, but their marginal benefits require careful consideration of their cost.

Because bone mass declines after menopause and with increasing age, osteoporosis is a common problem in elderly persons. From 30 to 40 percent of persons over 60 years old probably have osteoporosis, and nearly 66 percent have some degree of osteopenia. The use of substances such as tobacco, caffeine and steroids is also associated with decreased bone density.

Men usually have twenty percent greater bone mineral density (BMD) when compared to women. Black men and women usually have twenty percent higher bone mineral density (BMD) than whites. So we can say that neither men nor black women are affected with osteoporosis as commonly as white women, even though they can develop the disease. Glucocorticoids can make osteoporotic fractures in any of these groups.

Traditional treatment for Osteoporotic fractures is non-operative. Patients are treated with in a few days of bed rest. Patients can make a full recovery after six to 12 weeks. A balanced diet, regular exercise routine, calcium and vitamin D supplements, medications and 28 smoking cessation may help prevent additional fractures. There is evidence that diagnosing and treating osteoporosis decreases the occurrence of compression fractures of the spine.