Try Some Glue...

I remember as a child thinking that tape and glue could fix almost anything. White glue, in particular, was the miracle salve for repairing the broken wing on many balsa wood airplanes.

As I got older, I found that white glue didn't work on everything. Plastic, for example, required a modeling or solvent based glue.  For a young mind, this caused confusion. What glue works best in what circumstances and with what materials?

I must admit that as I have grown older, the dilemma of glues, adhesives, solvents, pastes, cements, and tapes has only become more complicated.  It is no wonder that we, as adults, finally through up our hands and use duct tape for everything...

Lately, spinal surgeons have been trying to use glue to treat spinal compression fractures. They call it "vertebroplasty".  In the procedure, the surgeon injects a bone "glue" into the broken vertebra. Although the thought is that it will help to prevent deformity and pain, the research suggests the opposite.

"When you look at the science and research to-date, there is very strong Level 1 evidence to suggest that vertebroplasty does not provide the types of benefits it was previously thought to provide," says Stephen I. Esses, MD, the Houston, Texas-based orthopedic surgeon who led the AAOS workgroup that developed a new clinical practice guideline on the treatment of symptomatic osteoporotic spinal compression fractures. In a press release, AAOS clarified that Level 1 evidence "refers to studies done under the strictest scientific guidelines, including blinding randomization."
Spinal fractures usually occur when the bones of the spine have become so weakened by osteoporosis or medication usage that they finally collapse under the weight of the body. At times they can be caused by trauma, such as a hard fall or a motor vehicle accident. They can cause severe pain in the back, nerve pain, and physical deformity.


As Dr. Esses stated, there appears to be no benefit with injecting glue into the broken spinal bones.  Conservative Physio therapeutic care, such as that provided by a chiropractor or a PT is likely to be the best care available to help support the patient during healing. Acupuncture is also helpful in controlling pain while patients heal.

It is also essential to assist the patient with dealing with the causes of the fracture to begin with. Usually spinal compression fractures are the result of long term bone density loss, such as that which occurs years after a complete hysterectomy,  or after years of steroid medication usage.

There are risks and benefits associated with the new medications, such as Boniva.  Vitamin D, Calcium and other minerals are essential for good bone health.  Prevention is always the best medicine. Learn the risk factors and change your lifestyle before suffering from a compression fracture.

Keith Biggs, DC
www.eastmesachiropractor.com
biggschiropractic.blogspot.com
therapeuticfoods.blogspot.com
biggschiropractic@gmail.com

Calcium, Vitamin D, and Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones gradually loose calcium and other minerals over time. The net result is that the bone becomes week, often resulting in spinal and hip fractures. The fractures are painful and often result in the "hunched over" appearance that many women suffer from. This picture is an x-ray image of a compression fracture in the spine.

Women are much more likely than men to develop osteoporosis, but the condition can still be debilitating in men. Women who undergo complete hysterectomies are even more at risk, since the loss of normal female hormones accelerates bone loss.

There are some medications that have been shown to aid in bone strength, such as Phosomax and Boniva. There are some indications, however, that long term use of these medications actually increases the risk of bone fracture.

Calcium and Magnesium are the most prevalent minerals in healthy bone.  Vitamin D is essential for helping in the absorption of Calcium in the intestines, and for the depositing of Calcium in the bone.  The RDA for vitamin D is 400 iu per day, but some experts believe that this should be increased to as much as 2000-4000iu per day.

In the past, I have always recommended that my patients take additional amounts of Vitamin D and Calcium Citrate if they begin to develop osteoporosis, but there is increasing evidence that preventative care is more affective.  Young teenage women should take healthy doses of Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D, in particular between the ages of 9-13. By doing so, they can decrease their risks of developing osteoporosis later in life by 40% or more.  Prevention is the best medicine.

If you have young women, do them a favor and start them on Calcium, Magnesium, and Vitamin D supplements. While you are at it, give it to your young boys as well. The teenage years are when bone strength can be affected the most, yet it is often the very time that they become picky eaters.