We are trying to take care of my mother-in-law in our home now. She has two collapsed bones in her spine that are causing her a lot of pain. Is there anything we can do to help make her more comfortable?
Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are very common in older adults. Anyone with osteoporosis is at risk for this type of problem. These kinds of fractures can be very painful and debilitating.
Older adults who have VCFs along with multiple other problems may not be good candidates for surgery. This is especially true if the bones are brittle from osteoporosis. The weakened bones can't support a bone fusion procedure or plate and screws to stabilize the segment.
Usually VCFs are self-limiting. This means they stabilize on their own and stop causing pain after a while. Conservative (nonoperative) care consists of calcium and vitamin supplements, pain relievers, bracing, and/or activity modification.
Two new minimally invasive procedures are now available as well. These include vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. In both procedures, liquid cement is injected into the vertebral bone. The cement hardens and helps the bone retain its shape and structural support.
Even patients with osteoporosis can benefit from one of these simple operations. It may be worth asking her doctor about the possibility of trying this type of intervention for pain control. It has the added benefit of preserving spinal height and preventing spinal deformity.
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