How Can I Prevent New Compression Fractures After My Vertebroplasty?

Vertebroplasties are one of our most powerful tools against spinal compression fractures, but the second lease on your spine isn’t a guarantee. The threat of a new fracture still looms, and we want to give you every bone health tool we have. 

Dr. Raul Lopez and our West Texas Pain Institute team specialize in treating many pain conditions, including spinal compression fracture; however, we’re also dedicated to keeping you as healthy as possible. 

In this blog, we take a look at life after vertebroplasty and the simple ways to avoid reinjuring your spine. 

Recapping vertebroplasty

Vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure we use to treat and repair spinal compression fractures. Spinal compression fractures are hairline cracks that develop in weak vertebrae, causing the bone to collapse. The result is back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. Virtually anyone can get a spinal compression fracture, but you’re most at risk if you’re older and/or have osteoporosis, a condition that affects bone health and strength. 

During vertebroplasty, Dr. Lopez carefully fills the cracks in your vertebra with special medical-grade bone cement. As the cement hardens, it strengthens and stabilizes your vertebra. 

Our patients love vertebroplasty because it’s safe, effective, and doesn’t require invasive surgery. However, the bone cement is not invincible. You must continue or begin to take precautions to avoid compression fractures in the future. 

Fortunately, compression fracture prevention methods post-vertebroplasty don’t change much from before your procedure. To avoid another compression fracture, you should follow these rules of thumb. 

Let yourself heal

After vertebroplasty, we recommend you rest for at least the first 48 hours and gradually increase your activity levels over the next few weeks. You’ll likely feel better within a day or two of your procedure, but that doesn’t mean your spine is ready to return to regular life. 

Failure to follow aftercare instructions can result in further injury and improper healing, which can increase your risk of spinal compression fractures. 

Know your risk factors

If you’ve had spinal compression fractures before, you’re at an increased risk of repeat injury. The bone cement will never be as strong as healthy bone, and the rest of your vertebrae are likely still compromised. 

But knowing you’re at an increased risk helps you be more vigilant in avoiding future injury. Other risk factors for spinal compression fractures include being female, having a condition like osteoporosis that affects your bones, and being 50 years old or older. 

Take steps to reduce your risk of falling

Spinal compressions develop when weak bones sustain trauma, typically some sort of slip-and-fall accident. 

Look around your house, find all the trip hazards (cords, rugs, stairs, clutter, etc.), and do what you can to remove them. You may need to use assistive devices when walking to prevent falls and injuries to your spine. 

Focus on bone health

You can’t reverse osteoporosis, and you can’t turn back the hands of time, but you can live a lifestyle that supports your bone health. One of the best ways to support your bones is to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of protein, vitamin D, and calcium. Fill your plate with:

• Dark leafy green vegetables
• Proteins like chicken, fish, and liver
• Dairy products like cheese and milk

Other bone health hacks you can start embracing today include strength and balance training, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding low-calorie diets, quitting smoking and other tobacco products, and getting vitamin D through regular sun exposure. 

See us for checkups

If you know you’re at risk for spinal compression fractures, we strongly encourage seeing us for regular checkups. We can evaluate your bone health and detect the earliest signs of a spinal compression fracture.

Recognize the early warning signs and get help

If the worst happens and you develop another fracture, don’t wait to get help. Spinal compression fractures never get better on their own, and the longer you wait to have them treated, the more damage they’ll cause and the more pain you’ll be in. 

Don’t let spinal compression fractures define your golden years. If you have more questions about keeping your spine healthy for the long haul or suspect you have a compression fracture, schedule a consultation with our expert online or over the phone at our El Paso, Texas, office today.