Spine fractures in elderly patient can be asymptomatic. It can progress to variable extent leading to significant deformity ( forward stoop) which itself can lead to further fractures.
If symptomatic pain severity generally reduces over weeks. Few percentage of people can continue to have pain due to poor healing of the fracture. such non unions will benefit with augmentation procedures called vertebroplasy / kyphoplasty .
These augmentation procedures are done as a day care interventions.1 to 3 cc of bone cement is injected into the fractured vertebra under local anaesthesia / general anaesthesia.
These procedures provide instant pain relief and patients walk immediately after the procedure.
– involved insertion of a deflated balloon into vertebral body which is inflated slowly to restore height and cement is injected. This procedure apart from relieving pain also restores deformity due to fracture .