Experts point out that since low bone density is indicative of poor bone health and osteoporosis, Bone Mass Density Test could help preventing serious health issues like Kyphosis
Affecting 25 million Indians1, osteoporosis is a silently progressive bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mineral content and density, making it fragile which can lead to an increased risk of fracture2. However, despite being so prevalent, people often remain oblivious to osteoporosis until they break their bone.
And it’s not just the only problem which weakening bones brings along, another very important aspect of osteoporosis is “silent” spine fractures that produce no obvious symptoms to the patient in early stage. In advance stages these silent fractures may involve compression (or flattening or crushing) of the vertebrae, can result in Kyphosis (curvature of the spine) and chronic back pain, and may be associated with an increase in morbidity3.
As matter of fact, bone loss in women speeds up around and after menopause, which is usually between the ages of 45-55. Likewise, men begin to experience bone loss generally around age 45-50. As bone mineral content declines, bone gradually loses density and becomes more fragile and susceptible to fracture and decompression.
So, is there any way to detect the bone health before it gets too late?
According to experts, a simple Bone Mass Density (BMD) test could give a fair idea about bone density or its porosity and can help identify prognosis of disease, if any.
“Considering the devastating effects of osteoporosis on bone health and general well being, it is always advisable for women over 65 years of age, postmenopausal women under age 65 who have multiple risk factors, people with abnormal spine X-rays, those who are taking oral steroid form a long time or suffering from hyperparathyroidism to undergo a BMD test,” says Dr._____________.
BMD test helps detecting bone health and works as an alert for making pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to restore it timely. But the question is how many people consider going for it, says Dr. ___________, “Despite having such a handy tool to comprehend bone health, people hardly consider it, thereby leading to large cases of visible fractures and invisible fractures like in case of vertebral compression fracture, which is very common in India.”
Vertebral compression fracture is one of the most common condition seen in old age, and is directly linked with low mass density and spine fractures, it occurs when osteoporosis weakens spinal bones to the point that they crack and compress, leading to stoop gait, a condition also termed as Kyphosis.
Over time, multiple fractures may result in significant loss of height. The rib cage presses down on the pelvis, reducing thoracic and abdominal space. In severe cases, multiple vertebral compression fractures result in impaired pulmonary function, a protuberant abdomen, and—because of compressed abdominal organs—early satiety and weight loss4.
“Spine compression is a serious problem, affecting not just people’s gait but overall health and calls to medical intervention. Fortunately with advent of technologies like minimally invasive Balloon Kyphoplasty, treatment of spine compression has become comparatively much effective and safe. ”
In this process typically two balloons are used, one on each side of the vertebral column, to support the bone in a better way as it moves back into position and increase the likelihood of deformity correction.
Next, the balloons are carefully inflated to raise the collapsed vertebral body and return it to its correct anatomical position. Inflation of the balloons moves the soft, inner bone against the wall of the vertebral body, creating a cavity (space) inside the vertebra. Bone cement is then deposited into the cavity to stabilize the fracture.
Once the vertebral body is in the correct position, the balloons are deflated and removed. The cavity is filled with thick bone cement to stabilize the fracture. The bone cement forms an internal cast that holds the vertebral body in place.
"Balloon Kyphoplasty takes about an hour per fracture level treated. It can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on your overall state of health," adds Dr.___________.
Balloon Kyphoplasty is among the safest and advanced surgical processes, introduced over the past two decades, which osteoporotic patients should consider to restore their compressed spine.
While healthy diet and lifestyle and timely bone mass density test would continue to play vital role in restoring bone health in old age, technologies like Balloon Kyphoplasty would help people suffering from vertebral compression fracture and help them live a healthy normal life.
Reference:
1. Osteoporosis in Indians. Indian Journal of Medical Research 2008 [PubMed]
2. Applied therapeutics: the clinical use of drugs. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2009).
3. Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General. 2004 [PubMed]
4. Silverman SL. The clinical consequences of vertebral compression fracture. Bone. 1992; 13Suppl 2:S27–31.
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