Severe osteoporosis causes spinal pain for many years

The old lady had lumbar spine pain for many years, was diagnosed with osteoporosis after a fall, and the doctor injected biological cement to fix her spine.

After 20 days of treatment with conventional painkillers without improvement due to a fall on a hard surface, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang (83 years old, Thai Nguyen) visited Tam Anh General Hospital , Hanoi at the end of April 2023. The patient had a history of lumbar spine pain for more than 10 years, the pain increased sharply when moving, spreading to the abdomen on both sides, greatly affecting her daily life and spirit.

Test results and imaging diagnosis showed that Ms. Hang had severe osteoporosis, vertebral collapse after a fall, degenerative spine, vertebral body bone marrow collapse, and disc herniation with nerve root compression.

Associate Professor Dang Hong Hoa, Head of the Department of Musculoskeletal, said that patients with primary osteoporosis are diseases that progress silently. Due to menopause or age, bone metabolism changes, causing bone density to decrease. Patients are susceptible to bone fractures even with minor trauma.

The patient was injected with biological cement to treat a collapsed spine due to osteoporosis. Photo: Provided by the hospital

Ms. Hang was actively treated with special medications, osteoporosis medications, and anti-bone resorption medications. To avoid possible complications from osteoporosis such as the risk of hunchback and spondylolisthesis, the doctor performed vertebral body reconstruction using biological cement injection. After two days, the patient regained mobility, had significantly reduced pain, and was discharged from the hospital.

According to Dr. Tran Xuan Anh, Head of the Spinal Neurology Department, Orthopedic Trauma Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, biological cement injection is considered one of the least invasive methods, increasing the effectiveness in treating fractures, collapses, and vertebral collapses due to osteoporosis. After anesthesia, the doctor inserts the needle through the soft tissues of the back into the vertebra. Under the guidance of modern imaging diagnostic equipment, the doctor injects the needle into the exact location of the fractured vertebra, injects cement inside to help seal the fracture lines. The fragments are bonded together into a block after the cement dries, helping the patient reduce pain when moving.

Previously, patients with osteoporosis had to lie still and wear a splint when they broke a bone or had surgery to fix screws into the spine. Surgery to fix screws and splints in the elderly can cause blood loss, increase the risk of infection, and cause life-threatening post-operative complications. Compared to traditional methods, reconstructing a broken vertebra with biological cement helps patients not have to lie down for long, reduces the risk of nerve compression complications due to displaced fragments, and quickly returns to normal life.

Associate Professor Dang Hong Hoa examines at the Department of Musculoskeletal System. Photo: Provided by the hospital

Associate Professor Hong Hoa noted that patients with primary or secondary osteoporosis (due to drugs or other diseases) if not detected and treated early can lead to fractures in the vertebral bodies, causing spinal deformities, scoliosis, compression and fractures of neighboring vertebrae. Diffuse osteoporosis that is not treated properly and promptly increases the risk of fractures of other bones, especially the femoral neck, affecting the patient's mobility and quality of life.

Associate Professor Dang Hong Hoa recommends that when there are symptoms such as back pain that does not subside, pain along the long bones, pain in the lumbar spine, pelvis, reduced height, hunchback, spinal deformities, etc., it is necessary to have an osteoporosis screening examination. To prevent the disease, people should supplement calcium and vitamin D by adjusting their diet and taking medication with the advice of a doctor. Regular exercise not only helps strengthen bones and increase muscle strength, but also creates body balance and reduces the risk of falls. For people with osteoporosis, in addition to diet and exercise with appropriate exercises, it is necessary to pay attention to fall prevention techniques to help reduce the risk of fractures.

At 8:00 p.m. on May 9, Tam Anh General Hospital System organized an online consultation program "Osteoporosis, from internal medicine to surgery", broadcast on the VnExpress fanpage. The program aims to provide information about the disease, signs of recognition, diagnostic methods, treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Experts from the Department of Musculoskeletal and Orthopedic Trauma and Trauma Orthopedics Center participating include: Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Hoa - Head of the Department of Musculoskeletal, Associate Professor, Dr. Vu Thi Thanh Thuy - Doctor of the Department of Musculoskeletal, Dr. Tran Xuan Anh - Head of the Department of Spinal Neurology, Trauma Orthopedics Center.

Emerald

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