“Our Neurosurgery service has a first-rate staff in the care of these types of complications. Treatment alternatives are Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty, minimally invasive methods focused on treating fractures that compromise the spine. If necessary, in some cases open surgeries with vertebral instrumentation can be performed ”, says Dr. Einer Concha, renowned neurosurgeon at our clinic.

What is a vertebral fracture?

A fracture is the rupture of a vertebra caused by an accident. However, in the case of a patient with osteoporosis, due to the significant decrease in bone density, this is produced by minimal efforts, even spontaneously.

What symptoms does a patient with osteoporosis have?

Generally, these types of patients have back pain, which can be accompanied by deformation or decreased strength in the extremities. They also tend to have a hunched posture.

What tests diagnose a spinal fracture?

The diagnostic tests that are indicated are radiography and spinal tomography. However, the fundamental study is the MRI scan, since it allows to identify if it is a recent or old fracture, a very important fact to assess when the patient has multiple fractures.

What complications can a spinal fracture have in patients with osteoporosis?

The main complication is persistent pain because the vertebra does not heal properly, as well as the deformation of the spine, which in the long run leads to compression of intrathoracic and abdominal organs, greatly affecting their quality of life.

Our specialist recommends:

Any patient with a diagnosis of osteoporosis who have back or lumbar pain after exerting an effort, suffering a fall or spontaneously, must rule out the presence of an acute fracture. Remember, the treatment carried out by the neurosurgeon strengthens the vertebra, being very important to continue the osteoporosis controls with your rheumatologist.

Dr. Einer Concha
Neurosurgeon at Clinica Ricardo Palma