What should I do if I have a spinal fracture? Especially for the elderly!

  There is an increasing number of fractures in the thoracolumbar segment, which is strongly associated with osteoporosis. The number of postmenopausal women with at least one vertebral fracture as evidenced by X-ray is between 20-25%, and in some countries the prevalence is more than 39% in women over 65 years of age. Once fractures of the thoracic and lumbar spine occur in the elderly, the quality of life decreases and various complications can occur that can be disabling or life-threatening, so it is more important to prevent osteoporotic fractures. When a thoracolumbar compression fracture occurs, early treatment is recommended, such as minimally invasive interventional treatment within a few days after surgery, so that the patient can get out of bed and avoid complications from long-term bed rest.  The treatment of vertebral compression fractures is currently based on balloon-expandable vertebral body kyphoplasty. The advantage is that the height of the vertebral body and the sagittal alignment of the spine can be restored while the fracture is fixed. The procedure takes about 20 minutes to perform and the incision is 3-10 mm. The pain is resolved immediately and you can be on the floor the next day.