Osteoporosis in the spine is a loss of bone mass in the vertebrae of the spine, and is common to occur in post-menopause, but it can also arise due to other health conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, trauma or tumors, or even due to the use of corticosteroid medications or low intake of foods rich in calcium.
Osteoporosis in the spine is a silent disease that leaves bones more fragile, and symptoms can appear gradually, being more intense when a fracture occurs in the spinal vertebra, with symptoms such as sudden pain in the back, pain that radiates to the legs or feeling of numbness or tingling in the legs. See other symptoms of osteoporosis.
The main objectives of treatment for osteoporosis in the spine are to delay bone mineral loss, reduce the risk of fractures, alleviate pain and improve quality of life. To achieve this, treatment must be guided by an orthopedist, who may recommend the use of medication, adequate nutrition, lifestyle changes and physiotherapy.
Symptoms of osteoporosis in the spine
The main symptoms of osteoporosis in the spine are:
- Sudden or chronic back pain;
- Back pain that worsens when walking, standing, coughing or sneezing;
- Back pain that improves when lying on your back or sitting;
- Posture problems;
- Spinal deformity, such as kyphosis;
- Pain in the lower back that radiates to the legs;
- Feeling of numbness or tingling in the legs;
- Decrease in body height.
Generally, the symptoms of osteoporosis in the spine begin gradually, and are more intense when a compression fracture appears, which occurs when one or more vertebrae in the spine cannot support it, collapsing, which can cause pressure on the spinal cord or joints. nerves near the affected vertebra.
Compression fractures are most common in the lumbar region, but can also affect the thoracic or cervical vertebrae.
When symptoms of fractures caused by osteoporosis appear, it is important to seek medical attention so that the diagnosis can be made and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of osteoporosis in the spine is made by the orthopedist through bone densitometry examination (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) to assess bone density and detect compression fractures in the vertebrae. It is evaluated in the spine and femoral neck. See other tests for osteoporosis.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of osteoporosis in the spine must be carried out under the guidance of an orthopedist, who will indicate:
1. Physical exercises
Physical exercises for spinal osteoporosis help improve balance, such as yoga or tai-chi-chuan, reducing the risk of falls and fractures.
Furthermore, the orthopedic doctor may recommend walking, dancing and some weight training exercises, done regularly, as due to the biomechanical force caused by the muscles on the bones, these types of exercises are capable of increasing bone mineral density. See other exercises for osteoporosis.
2. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy for osteoporosis of the spine may be recommended by the doctor to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen that support the spine, helping to increase muscle strength, reduce the risk of fractures and improve quality of life.
Physiotherapy sessions must be carried out with guidance from the physiotherapist, respecting each person’s limitations, and stretching exercises may be recommended to increase flexibility and improve spinal stability. Find out how physiotherapy for the spine is performed.
3. Medicines
Medicines for osteoporosis in the spine aim to reduce bone loss and prevent fractures in the vertebrae.
The main remedies for spinal osteoporosis that may be recommended by your doctor are:
- Calcium and vitamin D supplementationas they help in the formation of bone mass;
- Bisphosphonatessuch as alendronate, risedronate or zoledronic acid, are the drugs of first choice in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis;
- Recombinant parathyroid hormonesuch as teriparatide, indicated for men or postmenopausal women at high risk of fracture;
- Synthetic polypeptide hormonessuch as calcitonin, which act by regulating calcium levels in the blood, increasing calcium deposits in the bones;
- Monoclonal antibodiessuch as denosumab, which reduces bone absorption, indicated for postmenopausal women or men with prostate cancer who have an increased risk of bone fractures;
- Estrogen hormone replacement therapysuch as raloxifene, in menopausal women, who have no contraindications to estrogen replacement, being used especially for the prevention of osteoporosis;
- Testosterone therapyindicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in men at high risk of fractures, when combined with other osteoporosis medications
These remedies should only be used with the recommendation of an orthopedist, and regular follow-up with the doctor should be carried out with assessments including a physical and laboratory examination. See other remedies for osteoporosis.
4. Lifestyle changes
Adopting a healthy lifestyle is also very important for treating spinal osteoporosis. Therefore, it is advisable to maintain a balanced diet richer in foods with calcium and vitamin D, such as eggs, almonds, kale, broccoli or salmon, for example. See how to diet for osteoporosis.
Furthermore, abandoning activities that could have a negative effect on health, such as smoking or consuming excessive alcohol, is also extremely important.
See in the video below what to consume to have stronger bones and thus combat osteoporosis:
