Can you fix a crumbling spine?
Can you fix a crumbling spine?
Depending on the severity the fracture, it may be left to heal on it’s own, and simply treated with pain relief and physiotherapy. In other cases you may be offered a brace to wear or surgery.
What causes crumbling of the spine?
Osteoporosis is the leading cause of vertebral compression fractures. Osteoporosis is by far the most common cause of vertebral compression fractures, especially in women over the age of 50. It is also more common than most people think in people age 40-50, and it is reasonably common in men over age 50.
What can be done for crumbling discs?
Physical therapy can help stretch and strengthen the right muscles to help the back heal and reduce the frequency of painful flare-ups. Lifestyle modifications, such as changing your posture, losing weight or giving up smoking, can sometimes help reduce stress on the damaged disc and slow down further degeneration.
What happens when your spine deteriorates?
Degenerative disk disease is when your spinal disks wear down. Spinal disks are rubbery cushions between your vertebrae (bones in your spinal column). They act as shock absorbers and help you move, bend and twist comfortably. Everyone’s spinal disks degenerate over time and is a normal part of aging.
How do you live with osteoporosis of the spine?
How to Protect Your Spine When You Have Osteoporosis
- Visit your doctor regularly.
- Eat healthy and quit bad habits.
- Stay active but use good judgment.
- Don’t ignore a compression fracture.
- Learn more:
What happens if degenerative disc disease is left untreated?
Without appropriate treatment, degenerative disc disease can cause lasting, debilitating back pain. The pain may become so severe that you find it difficult to carry out your normal daily activities. It can interfere with your mobility and your overall quality of life.
How do you reverse spinal degeneration?
While disc degeneration can’t be reversed, there is evidence that exercise, lifestyle changes and careful management of your back pain can contribute to better quality of life.
What age does your spine start to degenerate?
Most people’s spinal discs degenerate over time. By the age of 35, approximately 30% of people will show evidence of disc degeneration at one or more levels. By the age of 60, more than 90% of people will show evidence of some disc degeneration. Degeneration itself is normal, and does not necessarily cause pain.
Will I end up in a wheelchair with spinal stenosis?
Disability: In severe cases of spinal stenosis, a patient can end up permanently disabled. This may be through paralysis, or weakness so severe that it is impossible to stand and move as normal. It is not unreasonable to expect severe stenosis to lead to a person being bound to a wheelchair.
What is the life expectancy of a person with osteoporosis?
This excess risk is more pronounced in the first few years on treatment. The average life expectancy of osteoporosis patients is in excess of 15 years in women younger than 75 years and in men younger than 60 years, highlighting the importance of developing tools for long-term management.