Osteoporosis is a "silent" disease that affects most of the elderly people - 80 percent of whom are women. Osteoporosis is the leading cause of vertebral compression fractures - injuries that occur when bone tissue inside the vertebrae of the spine breaks and then collapses, sometimes causing severe pain. The condition is characterized by deterioration of bone tissue, which weakens the bones and makes them susceptible to fractures. Vertebral compression fractures affect approximately 2% of the general population each year, and can occur even when doing simple activities, like bending or twisting.
The elderly population is at greater risk and many people are unaware they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture, typically in the hip or spine. Many osteoporotic fractures are undiagnosed, and people suffering from a fracture may believe their back pain is just a part of aging.
Clinical Symptoms: In addition to chronic or severe pain, women who suffer from vertebral compression fractures may lose height and develop a hunchback appearance, which is sometimes called a "dowager's" or "widow's" hump. This can put pressure on the spinal cord and may lead to numbness, tingling, or weakness. Other symptoms include decreased lung capacity and sleeping difficulty. Any one or combination of these symptoms can adversely affect an individual’s ability to function normally and significantly hinder one’s independence.
A single vertebral fracture significantly increases a person's risk of further fractures. With a fracture or fractures left untreated, patients may face a loss of independence that can lead to depression, sometimes referred to as the "downward spiral" of a combination of adverse physical, social, and psychological effects. This underscores the need for patients to know if they are at risk for or have osteoporosis, to aggressively treat their osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, and to talk to their doctor if they have unexplained back pain or suspect a spine fracture.