Spinal Fracture
What is a Spinal Fracture? Conditions like osteoporosis weaken your bones. Sometimes the bones in your spine, also known as your vertebrae, get so weak that they fracture and collapse. These fractures can happen from something as dramatic as a fall, or from a simple little movement like coughing or sneezing or reaching for something in a cupboard. Most women tend to think that back pain is just a part of getting older, but if it is caused by a spinal fracture, it can set the stage for more fractures, resulting in a hunched, deformed spine. Medically, this is called "kyphosis". If this happens, it can become harder and harder to function in day to day activities. You can't move as easily, clothing doesn't fit right, and it becomes harder to do simple activities such as driving, bathing, cooking, and sleeping. As time goes on, you might have difficulty breathing and getting adequate amounts of food into your stomach. There can also be a great deal of pain and other medical problems.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of a Spinal Fracture? One or more symptoms can indicate a spinal fracture: - Sudden, severe back pain
- Worsening of pain when standing or walking
- Some pain relief when lying down
- Difficulty and pain when bending or twisting
- Loss of height
- Deformity of the spine - the curved, "hunchback" shape
The pain typically occurs with a slight back strain during an everyday activity, like: - Lifting a bag of groceries.
- Bending to the floor to pick something up.
- Slipping on a rug or making a misstep.
Signs of multiple spinal fractures: - Height loss: With each fracture of a spinal bone, the bone loses some of its height. Eventually after several collapsed vertebrae, the person's shorter stature will be noticeable.
- Kyphosis (curved back): These fractures often create wedge-shaped vertebral bones, which makes the spine bend forward. Eventually, neck and back pain may develop as your body tries to adapt.
- Stomach complaints: A shorter spine can compress the stomach, causing a bulging stomach and digestive problems like constipation, reduced appetite, and weight loss. A reduced appetite can mean receiving reduced nutrients to the body.
- Hip pain: The shorter spine brings the rib cage to the hip bones. If rib and hip bones are rubbing against each other, there will be discomfort and pain.
- Breathing problems: If the spine becomes severely compressed, lungs may not function properly and breathing can be seriously affected.
When Should I Seek Medical Advice? It is important to identify the symptoms of spinal fractures and notify your doctor. Sudden, severe back pain, especially in older women, often signifies a spinal compression fracture. Anyone with significant back pain, especially a woman who is near or over 50, should see a doctor. Most spinal fractures in women over 50 are due to osteoporosis and treatment can help reduce the chance of further compression fractures.
What are Some Treatments and Care for a Spinal Tumor?Osteoporosis treatments include the basic CDE's that include: - Calcium:-Because osteoporosis is difficult to reverse, prevention is the key to treatment. Calcium is the cornerstone of treatment. It will help keep your bones strong.
Doctors also recommend eating plenty of calcium-rich foods such as nonfat milk, low-fat yogurt, broccoli, cauliflower, salmon, tofu, and leafy green vegetables. - Vitamin D:-These supplements should also be taken to help with the absorption of the calcium.
- Weight-Bearing Exercise: A regular exercise program including weight-bearing exercises such as walking and aerobics can help keep your bones strong and free of fractures.
- Fall Prevention: With osteoporosis, it’s important to prevent falls and fractures. But that doesn’t mean sitting on the sidelines. Here are some tips to help eliminate the environmental factors that lead to falls:
1. Use a cane or walker for added stability. 2. Wear rubber-soled shoes for traction. 3. Walk on grass when sidewalks are slippery. 4. In winter, carry salt or kitty litter to sprinkle on slippery sidewalks. 5. Be careful on highly polished floors that become slick and dangerous when wet. 6. Keep rooms free of clutter, especially on floors. 7. Wear supportive, low-heeled shoes even at home. 8. Avoid walking in socks, stockings, or slippers. 9. Be sure carpets and area rugs have skid-proof backing or are tacked to the floor. 10. Be sure stairwells are well lit and that stairs have handrails on both sides. 11. Install grab bars on bathroom walls near tub, shower, and toilet. 12. Use a rubber bath mat in shower or tub. 13. Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries beside your bed. 14. If using a step stool for hard-to-reach areas, use a sturdy one with a handrail and wide steps. 15. Add ceiling fixtures to rooms which are now lit only by lamps. 16. Consider purchasing a cordless phone or carrying a disposable cell phone with you at all times so that you don’t have to rush to answer the phone when it rings, or so that you can call for help if you do fall. - Bone-Friendly Medicines: Evista is a drug that has some actions similar to estrogen, such as the ability to maintain bone mass. However, studies have shown that it doesn't increase the risk of breast or uterine cancers like estrogen, but it can cause blood clots and often increases hot flashes.
There are some others such as Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax, Reclast and others that can inhibit cells that break down bone and slow bone loss. - Lose Weight: Being overweight increases the stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and your hips. Even a small amount of weight loss can relieve some pressure and reduce your pain tremendously. Aim to lose 1 or 2 pounds a week, at most. Talk to your doctor about healthy ways to lose weight Here are some
Weight Loss Tips.
Most people combine changes in their diet with increased exercise with better results. - Use Heat and Cold to Manage Pain: Both heat and cold can relieve pain in your joint.
Heat relieves stiffness and cold can relieve muscle spasms. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day. Cool the pain in your joints with cold treatments such as ice packs for 20 minutes several times a day. Don't use cold treatments if you have poor circulation or numbness.
What are Some Lifestyle and Home Remedies? Take action against this silent disease. You may not know you have it until your thinned, weakened bones fracture in a bump or fall. A spinal fracture can be prevented. Here are some tips for keeping your bones strong: - Eat a healthy diet rich in calcium - A healthy diet emphasizing
fruits and vegetables
that are high in
antioxidants
(vitamins), and calcium can help you control your weight and maintain your overall optimal health, allowing you to be able to more effectively deal with your osteoporosis. Dairy products are rich in calcium, which is essential for building and maintaining strong bones. Antioxidant-rich foods such as
Dark Chocolate
can also provide antioxidant properties.
- Take your medication as recommended: By taking your medications regularly instead of waiting for pain to build, you will lessen your overall intensity of your pain because you will keep a therapeutic dosage in your bloodstream at all times.
- Use Your Strongest Muscles and Favor Large Joints: Don't ever push open a heavy glass door. Lean into it. To pick up something, bend your knees and squat while keeping your back straight.
- Maintain Good Posture: Poor posture causes uneven weight distribution and may strain ligaments and muscles. The best and easiest way to improve your posture is by walking. The faster you walk, the harder your muscles must work to keep you upright. A lot of people find that swimming also helps improve their posture.
The good news is you don't have to endure back pain from a spinal fracture. If caught early, it can be repaired.
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.
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