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Lower Back Pain and Sciatica - Is Osteoporosis the Cause?
Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” People with osteoporosis suffer from brittle bones that are more easily broken than people who do not have osteoporosis. However, this does not mean that you will suffer a fracture. There will be many people walking around with osteoporosis of the spine who will never suffer any type of fracture, with the condition itself varying in severity. It is often only when a person suffers a fracture that they realize they are osteoporotic. Consequently, those who do not suffer a fracture go through life without knowing it. As we go through life, our bodies continually replace/build our bones...
Lower Back Pain and Sciatica - Is Osteoporosis the Cause?
Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones.” People with osteoporosis suffer from brittle bones that are more easily broken than people who do not have osteoporosis. However, this does not mean that you will suffer a fracture. There will be many people walking around with osteoporosis of the spine who will never suffer any type of fracture, with the condition itself varying in severity. It is often only when a person suffers a fracture that they realize they are osteoporotic. Consequently, those who do not suffer a fracture go through life without knowing it.
As we go through life, our bodies continually replace/rebuild our bones to keep them strong. However, as we age, this remodeling cannot always keep pace with the natural thinning of the bones, which also occurs naturally. As a result, bone density is slowly but surely not as healthy as we would like and osteoporosis can occur.
When it comes to lower back pain and sciatica and the effects that osteoporosis can have, it is mainly due to the vertebra of the spine losing height, which is what causes the pain. As the bone density of the vertebra decreases in people with osteoporosis, the vertebra begins to lose size as the weight of our own body is supported through it. In fairly severe, relatively small fractures, the vertebrae can become quite “crushed.” This is called a compression fracture.
This has two consequences:
1) Attitude:Because of the way the vertebra is compressed, osteoporosis sufferers develop a “stooped” or “stooped” posture. Additionally, by compressing the vertebra, significant height can again be lost...it's like you're shrinking! Although your posture may be severely affected, you may not necessarily be in pain at this stage. However, this is no reason to be complacent. If you notice any of these possible posture changes, it is important that you make an appointment with your doctor.
2) Pain:If you suffer from compression fractures of the vertebra, there is a good chance that this will cause pain at some point, especially if the fracture is relatively new and your body has not yet been able to heal itself (although it will). When these fractures and their consequences begin to irritate the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve in any way, sciatica occurs, that is, pain in the legs.
Osteoporosis can be easily treated. The sooner you start treatment, the better. Pain associated with osteoporosis isn't necessarily something you have to live with.
Inspired by Paul Boxcer