Osteoporosis Surgery: Symptoms, Treatment & Cost

Osteoporosis is a disease that reduces bone density, making them fragile and causing bone loss. Although this condition usually builds silently over time, it can greatly affect quality of life during fractures. If you don’t get perfect results from non-surgical treatments, then surgery is probably required to control the symptoms and fractures. In this blog article, we will discover Osteoporosis Surgery: Symptoms, Treatment & Cost.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is an evolved disease that reduces bone strength and density, increasing the chances of fractures. Bones naturally experience a process of remodelling, where tissues of old bones are replaced with new tissues. Regardless, the balance between bone loss and creation of bone creation is disturbed in Osteoporosis, leading to thinned bones. This disease typically affects people older than the age of 50 years, particularly postmenopausal women, because of the decline in estrone levels that maintain bone density. Regardless, men with some specific conditions can also be affected by this condition. As per the National Osteoporosis Foundation, almost 10 million people in the USA suffer from osteoporosis, and more than 44 million people have issues of bone density.

Common Symptoms of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis usually does not indicate any symptoms until a fracture happens, which is why it is known as a silent disease. But here we mentioned some common symptoms, such as:

• Back Pain: It is probably caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra.
• Stooped Posture: An extreme bend of the spine, called kyphosis, can result in a curved appearance.
• Fractures: People with osteoporosis are more inclined to bone fractures, whether it is from minor falls or major injuries. Common fracture areas include the spine, wrists, and hips.
• Loss of Height: People with osteoporosis probably feel a loss of height because of spine reduction fractures.

When you observe any of these symptoms, particularly after an injury, it is important to seek medical help instantly. Earlier detection through tests of bone density can control further difficulties.

When Is Surgery Needed for Osteoporosis?

Surgery is not the primary treatment for osteoporosis. In many cases, patients start with non-surgical treatments, such as lifestyle changes, medications, dietary changes, or physical therapy. Regardless, when these treatment choices do not reduce pain or if fractures happen, that damage functioning, surgery is probably required.

When is surgery advisable for osteoporosis?

• Serious Fractures: Many fractures, especially in the hips or spine, probably require a surgical procedure for treatment. Regular Pain: If you have felt consistent and serious pain from osteoporosis fractures and it does not relieve with medications or other treatments, then surgery is required for relief. Loss of Mobility: If a fracture affects your ability to move or work, surgical treatment is needed to improve mobility. Spinal Compression Fractures: If osteoporosis leads to a big spinal compression, such as a fractured vertebra, surgery can fix posture and pain.

Types of Osteoporosis-Related Surgeries

There are many surgical treatment procedures available, depending on the area of fracture and type of fracture. Here we shared some surgery procedures, such as:

Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty

Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are minimally invasive procedures designed to treat spinal compression fractures, one of the most common consequences of osteoporosis. Both procedures aim to stabilize the spine and relieve pain.

Procedure	Description	Typical Applications	Key Characteristics
Vertebroplasty	Injection of bone cement into a fractured vertebra to stabilize it.	Painful vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis.	Minimally invasive, short recovery period, effective for pain relief and restoring spinal function.
Kyphoplasty	Injection of bone cement into a fractured vertebra after using a balloon to restore vertebral height.	Painful vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis, aiming to restore height.	Minimally invasive, short recovery period, effective for pain relief, restoring spinal function, and potentially height.
Spinal Fusion	Fusing two or more vertebrae to reduce pain and improve spinal stability.	Severely damaged vertebrae, nerve compression due to osteoporosis.	More invasive, longer recovery time, may limit spinal flexibility, highly effective for pain and stability.
Hip Replacement	Replacing a damaged hip joint with an artificial one (metal, plastic, or ceramic).	Hip fractures due to osteoporosis that don't heal properly with non-surgical treatment.	Generally successful, significantly improves mobility and quality of life.
Joint Replacement	Replacing damaged joints (knees, shoulders, etc.) with artificial components.	Severe fractures or arthritis in other joints (knees, shoulders) due to bone loss.	Restores function and alleviates pain in affected joints.

Recovery After Osteoporosis Surgery

Post-operative recovery procedure for osteoporosis depends on the type of procedure performed during surgery. For minimally invasive procedures, such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty, patients feel relief from pain instantly, and recovery takes almost 15 to 30 days. Regardless, extensive surgeries, such as spinal fusion or hip replacement, can take months to recover completely. Physical therapy is usually advisable to fix movements, enhance strength, and prevent further fractures. Also, it is necessary to follow a diet plan rich in calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone health and control further bone loss.

Cost of Osteoporosis Surgery in the USA

The cost of osteoporosis surgeries depends on the type of procedure, location, and additional aspects. Here we mentioned an estimated cost range for common surgery procedures:

• Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty: $6,000 – $13,000
• Spinal Fusion Surgery: $50,000 – $100,000
• Hip Replacement Surgery: $30,000 – $45,000

Note: These costs are just an estimation, not an actual cost, and may include pre-operative consultations, anesthesia, the hospital stay, and post-operative care.

Factors Affecting Surgery Cost:

• Costs can vary greatly by location and facility.
• Minimally invasive procedures are usually less costly than complicated procedures.
• Multiple insurance schemes cover osteoporosis surgery, but some expenses can still depend on the plan.
• Post-operative care, such as follow-up meetings, physical therapy, and medications, can add to the total costs.

Final Thoughts

Osteoporosis can harshly impact quality of life, and while non-surgical treatments are generally first, surgery is probably required for severe fractures or constant pain. Some surgical procedures, such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, spinal fusion, and hip replacement, can effectively fix function.

FAQS for Osteoporosis Surgery: Symptoms, Treatment & Cost

Question 1. How can we prevent osteoporosis?

Answer: You should follow some crucial steps, such as maintaining a healthy diet plan rich in calcium and vitamin D, doing regular physical activities, avoiding smoking, and restricting alcohol consumption.

Question 2. How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Answer: Osteoporosis is generally diagnosed via:

• DEXA scan measures bone mineral density.
• Physical examinations.
• Assessing symptoms

Question 3. Is osteoporosis surgery a safe procedure for treatment?

Answer: Although most osteoporosis surgery procedures are regarded as safe and effective, all surgeries come with some possible risks. These are infection, blood clots, and difficulties related to anesthesia.