My Spine - Lumbar
Teriparatide, a form of parathyroid hormone, is a newly approved medication
for osteoporosis. It is the first drug to increase the rate of bone formation in
the bone remodeling cycle.
Fractures that are sustained because of osteoporosis can be treated with
Kyphoplasty, Vertebroplasty, bed rest or external bracing. Kyphoplasty is a
procedure where a balloon is inserted into the vertebra to raise the collapsed
segment and bone cement is then injected into the space created by the bal-
loon. In a Vertebroplasty, bone cement is injected into the vertebra without a
balloon being inflated. These procedures are performed with needles that are
inserted through the skin of the back (see the chapter Kyphoplasty and
Vertebroplasty). External bracing requires that a patient wears a brace.
Does this treatment have any complications?
There is a small risk with Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty that the bone
cement may leak out into the blood vessels or into the spaces where the
nerves are located. This is rare and is avoided by careful surgical techniques.
Speak to your specialist about the other risks involved (see the chapter Your
Back Operation).
What are the long-term expectations?
Osteoporosis is a progressive disease that can lead to ongoing fractures that
can be disabling. Prevention is the best advice, but there is hope with newer
treatments that are available. It is crucial to diagnose osteoporosis as early as
possible.
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