As you age, you need to be increasingly concerned about fractures — preventing them, specifically. Living with osteoporosis — a condition that causes reduced bone mass and density — is linked to a greatly increased risk for fractures. About 10 million Americans live with this condition (more than 8 million are women).
This jump in fracture risk means you’re also more likely to experience a spinal fracture, which urgently requires medical treatment.
Dr. Benjamin Cohen has extensive experience treating spinal fractures. Depending on the fracture’s location and severity, he may recommend a conservative approach or a surgical solution if needed.
Dr. Cohen is also committed to educating patients on steps they can take to prevent fractures, so they don’t require treatment in the first place.
When a spinal fracture occurs, one of your vertebrae gives way because it can no longer handle the weight that your spine needs to support. A fracture can affect any part of your back — the cervical spine (upper back), the thoracic spine (middle portion of your back), or the lumbar spine (lower back).
Symptoms of a spinal fracture include:
Unfortunately, spinal compression fractures aren’t uncommon — 1 to 1.5 million experience them each year, and according to the Spine Health Foundation, this is the most common type of fragility fracture older adults experience.
If a fracture is mild, it’s likely to heal on its own over time, but if it’s more severe, you’ll need treatment.
We’ve laid out the sobering information about spinal fractures as yet another thing to be concerned about as you age, but the good news is that we have tips you can follow to lower your risk for a life-altering fracture.
To protect your spine, steer clear of hoisting heavy objects like packages, take it easy when twisting or bending, and don’t reach for objects that are too high above you. Additionally, don’t engage in doing abdominal crunches or toe touches, and don’t bend forward from your waist or at all when you’re coughing or sneezing.
It’s important to keep the muscles that keep your spine straight flexible and strong.
We noted that you shouldn’t bend forward, but whether you’re doing yoga, taking a dance class, or playing another sport, gently bending backward doesn’t stress your spine.
It’s vital to do all you can to prevent a tumble that could cause a fracture:
Outside the house, repair any broken walkway, concrete, or steps, install railings, and avoid going out when it’s icy or snowy. If you must, make sure walking areas are shoveled and salted (and if you shovel, don’t scoop up too much snow or round your back while bending forward — stay upright with your spine straight).
If you do suffer a spinal fracture, Dr. Cohen can help. He may recommend medications for pain, physical therapy, or rest so that you can recover. He might also recommend using a brace to immobilize your spine.
If your fracture is severe, Dr. Cohen advises surgery with the goals of:
He’s highly skilled at performing several procedures to mend a spinal fracture.
Dr. Cohen performs a lumbar vertebral body replacement if the vertebral body (a sturdy oval-shaped bone that’s in each of your vertebrae) is fractured.
During surgery, Dr. Cohen removes this damaged part of your vertebra and positions a small metal cage that contains bone growth-stimulating bone graft material. Over time, as the vertebral body heals, the new bone that forms inside and then outside the cage fuses with your actual bone.
For compression fractures, Dr. Cohen typically performs either vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. Both involve Dr. Cohen placing an empty needle into the vertebra that has collapsed. He fills it with a special bone cement that dries rapidly and does an excellent job of making your spine stronger and far more stable.
During a kyphoplasty procedure, Dr. Cohen uses a balloon to enlarge the bone before injecting the cement, which normalizes the bone’s height.
If you’re experiencing spinal fracture symptoms, don’t delay. Contact our Garden City office at 246-5008 or reach out to Dr. Cohen through his website to schedule an appointment.
