Osteoporosis

Pain Management & Anesthesiology located in Augusta, Austell, Brookhaven, Camp Creek, Piedmont/Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Canton, Carrollton, Cartersville, Conyers, Covington, Dallas, Douglasville, Jasper, Johns Creek, Suwanne, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Peachtree City, Roswell, and Woodstock, GA

If you have weak, brittle bones or fractures within your spine because of osteoporosis, see the specialists at Alliance Spine & Pain. They offer treatments that repair fractures and reduce discomfort. Call one of the offices in Austell, Augusta, Woodstock, Atlanta, Marietta, Conyers, Lawrenceville, Jasper, Cartersville, Dallas, Suwanee, Covington, Carrollton, Canton, Sandy Springs, Douglasville, Peachtree City, or Roswell, Georgia, or use the online booking feature today.

Osteoporosis Q & A

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a chronic condition that causes weak, brittle bones. It increases your risk of fractures when left untreated. Alliance Spine & Pain specializes in treating spinal fractures, thereby reducing pain in your neck, back, and nearby tissues. See a pain management provider at the first sign of a problem.

What are the symptoms of osteoporosis?

In the early stages of bone loss, you might not notice any symptoms. However, as osteoporosis progresses, you might develop:

Neck pain
Back pain
Loss of height
Frequent fractures
Stooped posture

Seeking early treatment for osteoporosis is the best way to avoid the continued weakening of your bones and the risk of future fractures.

What can cause osteoporosis?

The main risk factors for developing osteoporosis include:

Older age
Being female
Family history of osteoporosis
Small body frame size
Low levels of sex hormones
Menopause in women
Thyroid disorders
Overactive adrenal or parathyroid glands
Eating disorders
Low calcium intake
Previous gastrointestinal surgery
Some injections or oral medications
Additional medical problems
Excess alcohol intake
Tobacco use

The best way to diminish the risk of osteoporosis is to eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and get regular exercise that includes weight-bearing workouts (i.e., jumping rope, jogging, dancing, walking, or weightlifting).

It's also important to avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and using tobacco. Take calcium and vitamin D supplements if your doctor asks you to.

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Your Alliance Spine & Pain specialist diagnoses osteoporosis after reviewing your medical history, lifestyle, and symptoms. They use low levels of X-rays to determine how dense your bones are and whether or not you have any fractures.

How is osteoporosis treated?

To treat osteoporosis or the fractures it causes, your Alliance Spine & Pain specialist may suggest:

Lifestyle change counseling
Dietary supplements
Oral medications
Hormone therapy
Regenerative medicine injections
Vertebroplasty
Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minor procedures that repair spinal fractures. Your provider numbs the treatment area, inserts a needle into your spine, may widen the treatment area using a balloon-like device, and injects cement into the area to repair damaged vertebrae.

These procedures reduce pain caused by spinal fractures, restore your quality of life, and lessen the risk of further injuries.

Call the Alliance Spine & Pain office nearest you, or use the online booking feature today to learn more about treatments for osteoporosis and the fractures that can result from it.