Most people are unaware that their bones are losing mass or becoming brittle until they experience a fracture.
The fracture may be caused by something as simple as picking up a bag of groceries.
The resultant pain may severely limit activity and impact quality of life.
People with a spine or vertebral fracture are much more likely to develop additional fractures in the future. These fractures can result in loss of height and spinal deformities such as kyphosis (forward curvature of the spine) or so-called dowager’s hump. Just one spinal fracture that remains deformed shortens the spine and pushes it forward, adversely affecting spinal movement.
Each additional fracture increases spinal deformity. This change in alignment can compress your internal organs and affect breathing, eating, and digestion. Altering your posture can put additional strain on your back and joints.
Aside from the pain associated with vertebral fracture, additional long-term health problems include decreased mobility and decreased lung function. In addition to relieving the pain from spinal fracture, balloon kyphoplasty can help correct the spinal deformity.