Osteoporosis Compression Fractures - New Thoughts

Osteoporosis Fractures: Severe osteoporosis can lead to compression fractures of the spine, often in the mid-back. (See illustration to the left) Note that its the part under the disc, the vertebral body, not the rear part that causes paralysis.  However it is painful and leads to a humpbacked posture (hyerkyphosis).

Conservative Measures: Rest, ice packs, OTC analgesics and limited vertical time are common treatments while the body heals the crushed bone. Posture will deteriorate with each fracture event of significance.

Vertebroplasty: One of the respected Chiropractic Radiologists, Deborah Pate D.C., D.A.C.B.R. wrote in Chiropractic literature that  vertebroplasty surgery (see second illustration) was an option to be considered  In a recent article she reversed her position and even apologized.  In the respected New England Journal of Medicine, one of the leading journals of medicine, two recent studies raised question about the efficacy of the surgery and one showed no significant difference from the procedure vs. conservative healing. (N. Engl. J. Med. 2009, 361: 569-579 & 557-558)

The surgery involves injecting an acrylic into the fracture area  (see vertebroplasty illustration).  The acrylic hardens and supposed to support the fracture.  But it can leak.   A more recent variation includes a balloon process.

Accepted Procedure? This procedure has been accepted as efficacious for more than twenty years! UNTIL NOW when two studies.

Frequency: 750,000 compression fractures are estimated in the U.S. annually.  One third are estimated to have treatment costing from $12 -$18 billion.  The number of vertebroplasty procedures has doubled in the last six years.

Chiropractic Moral:

• question even the assumed “normal” procedures in medicine.
• don’t assume later in life there will be no complication or that there will be lasting results.
• don’t assumed there will be always  less pain and/or disability in life with a surgery than without.
• use holistic methods to support your body’s health including activity, nutrition, chiropractic etc. – HEALTH IS CUMULATIVE.

[Via http://millerfamilychiropractic.wordpress.com]