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- After Balloon Kyphoplasty
The benefits of balloon kyphoplasty include a significant reduction in back pain, improved mobility and quality of life.
- Alendronate (Fosamax)
Fosamax (Alendronate) is prescribed to treat osteoporosis.
- Anatomy of Osteoporosis
To understand osteoporosis, you should understand how bones grow and regenerate. Then you'll know why and how this bone disease weakens your bones, especially your spine's vertebrae.
- Are You at Risk for Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is a disease that mostly affects women but men and younger people of all ethnic backgrounds are at risk too. Knowing your risks is important to prevention
- Ask the Doctor: New Options Available To Treat Spinal Fractures From Osteoporosis
Doctors have found an innovative way to treat spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis.
- Balloon Kyphoplasty and Vertebral Compression Fractures: Glossary
A glossary of common terms associated with Balloon Kyphoplasty in the treatment of vertebral compression fractures.
- Balloon Kyphoplasty Step by Step
Balloon kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment in which orthopaedic balloons are used to gently elevate the bone fragements in an attempt to return them to a correct position.
- Balloon Kyphoplasty: Frequently Asked Questions
Approximately 150,000 patients in the US are hospitalized every year with compression fractures.
- Balloon Kyphoplasty: Minimally Invasive Treatment for Spinal Fractures Caused by Osteoporosis
Two-thirds of patients who suffer a vertebral compression fracture go undiagnosed or untreated, which may lead to spinal deformity.
- Balloon Kyphoplasty: Treatment for Spinal Fractures
Left untreated, one vertebral compression fracture can lead to multiple fractures, that in turn could alter the shape of the spine.
- Bone Loss In Your Spine: Telltale Signs You Might Have It
You may know that osteoporosis can weaken your bone, but what you may not know is that the bones in your spine are often the first to break.
- Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Measurement
Bone mineral density testing measures the amount of calcium in the bones. The results are used to formulate a treatment plan to reduce the risk for fracture. Learn more here.
- Bone-Building Exercise Tips for Osteoporosis
One of your best defenses against developing osteoporosis is to exercise regularly. Include weight-bearing and resistance exercises into you fitness routine.
- Bracing for Osteoporosis
A spinal fracture is a serious thing, and as your body heals, your doctor may recommend a back brace. It will support your spine and back muscles as the vertebrae heal.
- Calcium and Vitamin D to Build Bone
Preventing osteoporosis involves getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Calcium is what helps you build new bones, and vitamin D is what helps you absorb calcium from food or supplements. Find out what you should be eating to build bones.
- Can Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation Adequately Treat Most Patients with Osteoporosis?
Calcium and Vitamin D should be used in combination with an antiresorptive agent such as estrogen, raloxifene, alendronate, risedronate, or calcitonin.
- Causes of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis has many causes, including family history and certain medical conditions. There are also many lifestyle factors that could lead to osteoporosis, such as lack of exercise and smoking. How can you decrease your chance of having weak bones?
- Clinical Trials for Osteoporosis and Spinal Fractures
You may qualify for expert osteoporosis treatment at leading medical facilities.
- Common Osteoporosis Questions
Many of the most common questions people ask about osteoporosis are answered here.
- Compression and Wedge Fractures
Injury or trauma to the spine may cause compression and wedge fractures, which are very painful and require immediate medical attention.
- Compression and Wedge Fractures: Treatment and Recovery
Osteoporosis may cause vertebral compression and wedge fractures; some of these fractures can now be treated using vertebroplasty.
- Discharge Instructions for Vertebroplasty
Vertebroplasty discharge instructions. These discharge instructions are printed with permission from Todd Albert, M.D. of the Rothman Institute at Thomas Jefferson University.
- Drugs and Medications for Osteoporosis
To help control bone mineral density loss because of osteoporosis, your doctor may recommend a medication. There are several options, including drugs that slow down bone loss and one drug that speeds up bone formation.
- Exams and Tests for Osteoporosis
There's just one way to confirm an osteoporosis diagnosis: with a bone mineral density (BMD) test. You can also have a BMD test if you might be at risk for osteoporosis. It'll tell you how strong your bones are and your chances for a fracture.
- Facts and Tips about Osteoporosis
Approximately 700,000 vertebral fractures occur each year. Many are caused by osteoporosis.
- Fall Prevention Benefits All Age Groups
Injuries resulting from falls are a leading cause of back pain in North America. Be pro-active!
- Fall Prevention: Flooring, Furniture and Footwear
How many times have you heard that most accidents occur at home? Often! Now add to that the increased number of people who work at home.
- Fall Prevention: Home and Office
How many times have you heard that most accidents occur at home? Often! Now add to that the increased number of people who work at home.
- How to Start Your Osteoporosis Prevention Plan Today
Six important things you can do to start your osteoporosis prevention program, including exercises and tips for eating a calcium-rich diet. Even if you have osteoporosis, these steps may help you stay strong and prevent spinal compression fractures.
- How to Talk to Your Doctor about Osteoporosis and Spinal Fracture
To get the most from your doctor’s visit to talk about osteoporosis and your risk for spinal fracture, consider these helpful tips.
- Ibandronate (Boniva)
Boniva (Ibandronate) is a prescription drug used to treat osteoporosis.
- Is it Just Back Pain or a Fracture?
Differentiating between 'normal' back pain and a spinal fracture is important. This self assessement tool can help you talk to your doctor about your back pain and spinal fracture.
- Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty: Treatments for Spinal Compression Fractures
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty help to relieve the pain associated with osteoporotic compression fractures and involve the injection of medical grade cement into fractured vertebrae.
- Kyphoplasty Treatment and Patient Results
Balloon kyphoplasty can help to restore height lost when a spinal fracture occurs.
- Kyphoplasty: Part 2 - Outcomes
In Part 2 of Dr. Isador Lieberman's article, he discusses the kyphoplasty study outcome.
- Kyphoplasty: Reaching New Heights for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures
Kyphoplasty is an innovative and minimally invasive technique used to treat spinal compression fractures. The procedure can reduce pain and prevent further fractures by using bone cement. Step-by-step illustrations shows you how it works.
- Kyphoplasty: Treating Vertebral Compression Fractures
Kyphoplasty is a newer technique performed to treat compression fractures that evolved from a procedure called vertebroplasty.
- Medical Management of Osteoporosis and Vertebral Compression Fracture
Evaluation and management of osteoporosis is an integral part of appropriate fracture treatment.
- Medical Miracles: Osteoporosis Can be Prevented
An excellent video presentation from the Cleveland Clinic that tells you what you need to know today about preventing and treating osteoporosis.
- Myths and Misconceptions about Osteoporosis
We now know that with diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, supplements and drug therapies, osteoporosis is totally preventable! Yet misinformation abounds.
- National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month
SpineUniverse and Kyphon partner to increase osteoporosis awareness and to educate people about prevention, screening and treatment.
- National Osteoporosis Awareness Month
SpineUniverse and Kyphon partner to increase osteoporosis awareness and to educate people about prevention, screening and treatment.
- Non-surgical Treatment of Osteoporosis
Drugs classified as bisphosphonates can help to slow the breakdown of bone often associated with osteoporosis.
- Nutritional Supplements to Build Bone and Help Prevent Osteoporosis
A lack of certain minerals and vitamins play a role in the onset of osteoporosis. Adopt a healthy lifestyle to maintain sufficient levels of calcium, magnesium and other minerals to keep bones healthy and strong.
- Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: Is There a Difference?
Osteopenia is seen in people over age 50 with a lower than average bone density but do not have osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease where bone mass and density are lost making bones extremely susceptible to fractures.
- Osteoporosis
In osteoporosis, the bone is normal -- it is only the amount of bone present which is abnormal.
- Osteoporosis - Calcium and Prevention
Some habits can actually "rob'' calcium from your bones. They include eating large amounts of red meat (beef and pork), smoking, excessive alcohol intake, excessive caffeine intake (coffee, tea, and cola drinks), and stress.
- Osteoporosis and Compression Fractures
Sometimes the first symptom of osteoporosis is a painful spinal compression fracture caused by simple daily activities. Until then, you may not realize your bones are weakening and losing density. Treatments include pain medications and bed rest.
- Osteoporosis and Compression Fractures
Osteoporosis, a bone weakening disease, is a serious risk for compression fractures. In compression fractures, vertebrae crush, burst, or wedge causing compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots, resulting in neurologic deficit and acute pain.
- Osteoporosis and Spinal Fractures: Recovery and Wellness
Steps to help you avoid osteoporosis or recover if you are undergoing treatment.
- Osteoporosis Pain Condition Center
Osteoporosis and your spine. Information on diagnosis, non-surgical and surgical treatments, and recovery.
- Osteoporosis Questionnaire
A questionnaire developed by physicians to determine if you should be tested for osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis Screening Tip: Is it Time for Your Bone Density Test?
Osteoporosis screening and bone density tests are not just for women anymore! Doctors consider a bone density test as important to your health as a cholesterol test. Knowing your score is a first step to osteoporosis prevention.
- Osteoporosis Screening: Who, How, When, and Why
Women over 65 should definitely be screened for osteoporosis, a condition that weakens your bones and can lead to dangerous fractures, especially in your spine. But everyone should watch their bone health: find out how to do that.
- Osteoporosis Treatment and Pain Management
Osteoporosis can be pain and there are many options available to patients from pain maangement specialists.
- Osteoporosis: Calcium and Magnesium
Calcium is one of the most important minerals involved in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis: Detection and Diagnosis
A Bone Mineral Density test is often used to help diagnose osteoporosis and determine the risk for future fracture.
- Osteoporosis: Glossary of Terms
This easy to use glossary includes common terms associated with osteoporosis, its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
- Osteoporosis: Not Just an Elderly Disease
Many people confuse osteoporosis with arthritis and wait for swollen joints and discomfort before being tested.
- Osteoporosis: Risks and Diagnostic Steps
Although osteoporosis cannot be cured, early diagnosis is important to halting disease progression.
- Osteoporosis: The Silent Thief
Osteoporosis causes bones to become weak and fragile. This can cause loss of height, humpback (kyphosis), and debilitating pain. It’s a “silent thief” because you often don’t know you’re losing bone density until you fracture a vertebra.
- Osteoporosis: Trace Elements - Boron and Silicon
Taken as supplements, certain trace elements can promote bone formation and help to prevent osteoporosis.
- Osteoporosis: Trace Elements - Zinc/Copper
Learn about the importance of zinc and copper to bone health and how to take these trace elements.
- Osteoporosis: Treatment Goals and Prevention
Having osteoporosis does not have to mean a life of pain and inactivity. The four-fold goals in the treatment of osteoporosis are discussed here.
- Osteoporosis: Vitamin C and Keeping Healthy
Vitamin C has recently been recognized as having an important role in the prevention of osteoporosis because of its ability to increase bone density.
- Osteoporosis: Vitamin D and Vitamin K
Vitamins D and K both help promote bone formation and prevention of osteoporosis.
- Patient Stories: Spinal Fractures and Balloon Kyphoplasty
Patient's relate their stories of how balloon kyphoplasty treatment for vertebral compression fracture got their life back on track.
- Physical Therapy for Osteoporosis
For osteoporosis, a physical therapy treatment plan may include weight-bearing exercises, strengthening exercises, and balance and posture work. It will help you maintain bone mass while preventing falls and possible fractures.
- Raloxifene (Evista)
Evista (Raloxifene) is a drug prescribed to treat osteoporosis.
- Risedronate (Actonel)
Actonel (Risedronate) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used to treat osteoporosis.
- Smoking and Osteoporosis
That cigarette could be putting you at risk for osteoporosis. Find out how smoking affects your bones and why you should stop if you want to have healthy bones, especially if you're a woman.
- Spinal Fracture Risk Quiz
Are you at risk for a spinal fracture? Take this quick fracture risk quiz to see if you are at risk.
- Spinal Fractures
Spine fractures range from compression fractures to more severe injuries like burst fractures. Osteoporosis can lead to vertebral fractures that may require surgery using kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive technique. Not all fractures need surgery.
- Spinal Fractures - Spondylolisthesis - Scoliosis - Kyphosis - Lordosis
Injury, aging, general health, and lifestyle may influence the development of some conditions. Most spinal disorders are known to result from soft tissue injury, structural injury, and degenerative, or congenital conditions.
- Spinal Fractures: Are you at risk?
Age-related bone loss occurs silently and without warning. Back pain or a change in posture may indicate bone loss has occurred.
- Spinal Fractures: Frequently Asked Questions
Many questions patients ask about balloon kyphoplasty treatment are answered in part one of this two part "Frequently Asked Questions."
- Spine Specialists On-Call: Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures -- Restoring Spinal Stability and Quality of Life
Kyphoplasty is a newer technique having evolved from vertebroplasty used to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the spine.
- Steroid-induced Secondary Osteoporosis
Steroids contribute to bone break down and inhibit bone building and can lead to osteoporosis.
- Surgery for Osteoporosis
Vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty are minimally invasive surgical procedures used to treat spinal fractures.
- Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is sometimes called the "silent disease" and with good reason.
- Talking to Your Doctor about Spinal Fractures
To get the most out of your doctors' appointment, make a list of questions. Better yet, print this page and take it with you.
- Types of Osteoporosis: Primary or Secondary
Some physicians classify osteoporosis as either primary or secondary. Classification may be dependent on whether the osteoporosis is age related or caused by a medical condition or medications that can interfere with normal bone reformation.
- Vertebral Compression Fractures (VCFs): Clinical Study Supports the Benefits of Balloon Kyphoplasty
SpineUniverse presents Dr. Steven Garfin's comments about vertebral compression fractures and balloon kyphoplasty.
- Vertebral Compression Fractures: Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty, Two Viable Treatment Options
As many as 700,000 Americans annually suffer vertebral compression fractures. Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are two viable treatment options.
- Vertebral Fractures and Vertebroplasty
The term vertebroplasty refers to percutaneous (through the skin) structural reinforcement of the vertebral body using a special cement-like substance called “polymethylmethacrylate acrylic cement” (PMMA).
- Vertebroplasty: A Case Study
Compression fractures (osteoporosis) may be treated using a procedure called vertebroplasty. This article helps patients to know what to expect and includes a case study.
- Vertebroplasty: Effective Treatment for Painful Vertebral Compressive Fractures
People suffering from persistent back pain caused by vertebral compression fractures are potential candidates for vertebroplasty.
- Vertebroplasty: Non-Surgical Treatment of Compression Fractures - Part 1 of 2
Vertebroplasty, non-surgical treatment for compression fractures. This excellent pictorial article describes and explains in detail what the patient undergoing treatment can expect.
- Vertebroplasty: Non-Surgical Treatment of Compression Fractures - Part 2 of 2
Vertebroplasty, non-surgical treatment for compression fractures. This excellent pictorial article describes and explains in detail what the patient undergoing treatment can expect.
- What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis is the silent bone thinning disease affecting both men and women. This complete article, by Thomas Lowe, MD will help you to better understand this disorder.
- What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis causes bones to weaken as you grow older, making them more brittle and prone to fractures. Often, you don't know that you have osteoporosis until you break something, but if you start early enough, you can prevent osteoporosis.
