Association of Spine Surgeons of India (ASSI), a non-profit scientific organization has reported that 83 per cent of all spinal fractures are caused by Osteoporosis. Spinal fractures could be easily treated if the patient reaches the spine surgeon on time with procedures such as Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty

According to various studies, there is an estimated 9 million new osteoporotic fractures every year, of which 1.6 million occur at the hip, 1.7 million occur at the forearm and 1.4 million were clinical vertebral fractures. Around 83 per cent of all spinal fractures are caused by osteoporosis. Between 25 per cent and 60 per cent of women over 60 years of age develop spinal compression fractures.

Apart from the pain and immobility they cause, the long-term consequences of vertebral fractures include debilitating pain, spinal deformity, functional, and psychosocial impairments, poor pulmonary function, further risk of other fractures, increased dependence and mortality. Another common area affected by osteoporosis is the hip bone. A woman’s risk of developing an osteoporosis-related hip fracture is equal to her combined risk of developing breast, uterine and ovarian cancer.

Osteoporosis affected population in India would be around 25 million. Total 20 per cent of women and 10 to 15 per cent of men aged above 50 are Osteoporotic.

On the occasion of the World Osteoporosis Day observed annually on October 20, the theme this year is 'Don’t bend to Osteoporosis'.

“The major Osteoporotic fractures occur in the spine, wrist and the hip bones. Between 25% and 60% of women, aged over 60 years develop spinal compression fractures. In India Osteoporosis prevalence is high among men. The incidence of Osteoporotic hip fractures is one woman: one man in India, while in the Western world, it is three women: one man. In most western countries, while the peak incidence of osteoporosis occurs at about 70-80 years of age, in India it afflicts those at age 50-60,” said Dr Mahesh Bijjawara, Spine Surgeon, Jain Hospital & member, ASSI.

According to Dr Rajagopalan, Spine Surgeon, St John’s Hospital & Member ASSI, during puberty and adolescence the skeleton takes up calcium avidly and builds up its reserves. This uptake of calcium into the bone is largely dependent on calcium and vitamin D nutrition, as well as exercise. The strength of the bone is built during two decades of life: from onset of adolescence to about age 30. Hence, the best prevention for Osteoporosis is to build strong bones and maximize peak bone mass before early adulthood. From the mid-thirties, there is a gradual, progressive bone loss, which continues throughout life and is accelerated at the menopause in women.

Several medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength such as bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy (for post-menopausal women), selective estrogen receptor modulators and calcitonin, and some that increase bone formation such as teriparatide are are most useful in the treatment. The appropriate drug for each patient is individualized and decided by the treating doctor. Different studies have consistently shown that, depending on the drug and the patient population, treatment reduces the risk of vertebral fracture by between 30-65% and of nonvertebral fractures by between 16-70%, according to ASSI.