Though compression fractures are often accident-related, osteoporosis is their primary cause — the result of a vertebra collapsing due to the spine’s inability to support a person’s weight any longer.
If you’ve had surgery to repair a spinal compression fracture, you’ve got good reason to be concerned about future fractures.
Dr. Charla Fischer is both highly experienced in performing surgery to address spinal compression fractures and an exceptional educator, committed to teaching you about lowering your risk for fracture tomorrow and leading an active life after surgery.
Fractures Are a Major Concern for Those with Osteoporosis
It may surprise you to learn that about 700,000 of the 1.5 million spinal compression fractures that strike people each year stem from osteoporosis, and are nearly twice as common as hip or wrist fractures.
Sometimes, a spinal compression fracture can go undetected until we take images, but when symptoms do occur, the pain is often sharp and debilitating, limiting your mobility and lowering your quality of life.
Common Signs of Compression Fractures
If you’ve suffered a fracture and you have osteoporosis, the damage can cause:
- Pain when you walk that may improve with rest
- Stooped posture or back hump (kyphosis)
- Loss of height due to vertebral collapse
- Chronic back pain that worsens with movement
Have you heard about osteoporosis-related shrinking? It’s a real thing, and you can lose inches in height due to vertebral compression.
Advanced Surgical Solutions for Spinal Compression Fractures
Fortunately, Dr. Fischer offers surgical procedures that can relieve these painful and disabling symptoms by realigning, strengthening, and stabilizing the spine.
Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are both procedures during which Dr. Fischer inserts a hollow needle into your affected vertebra, then fills it with fast-drying bone cement. This solidifies your spine and makes your vertebrae stronger.
What makes kyphoplasty different is that, in addition to and after using the cement, Dr. Fischer expands the bone by using a balloon and restores the height of the bone.
Lumbar Vertebral Body Replacement
Dr. Fischer performs another innovative procedure, lumbar vertebral body replacement. All of your vertebrae have vertebral bodies, the thick, oval-shaped parts of each bone. When this part of your vertebra is fractured, major spinal instability follows, as well as pinched spinal nerves.
For this problem, Dr. Fischer might remove the fractured part of the vertebra and, in its place, put a small metal cage filled with growth-stimulating bone graft materials. Over time, the vertebral body heals, the bone grows outside the cage, and fuses with the bone.
Minimally Invasive Approach: Dr. Fischer specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including robotic-assisted procedures and navigation-assisted surgery for maximum precision and faster recovery.
Related Spine Conditions and Surgical Concerns
If you have another type of spinal surgery, such as spinal stenosis surgery or spinal fusion, you may also be worried about a spinal compression fracture, even if your surgery had to do with having another condition other than osteoporosis.
Dr. Fischer commonly treats patients with multiple spine conditions, including:
- Herniated discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Cervical disc herniations
- Cervical myelopathy
- Sciatica
Evidence-Based Tips for Preventing Post-Surgical Osteoporotic Fractures
If you’ve gone through the process of having one of these advanced minimally invasive surgeries and are making a good recovery, you want to do all you can to ensure that you don’t suffer another fracture.
Dr. Fischer’s Prevention Strategy
Fortunately, there are evidence-based steps you can take to ward off another fracture:
- Optimize Nutrition: Make sure you get adequate vitamin D and calcium through diet and supplements
- Fall Prevention: Become hyper-aware of fall risks and take steps to make your environment safer
- Avoid Tobacco: Eliminate tobacco use completely because it weakens your bones and impairs healing
- Follow Medical Advice: Listen to your doctor’s advice about slowing bone loss (medication, diet, exercise)
- Close Monitoring: Get your osteoporosis monitored closely and managed well
- Early Intervention: Don’t ignore fracture symptoms; seek treatment promptly if you notice any
Exercise and Physical Activity
Dr. Fischer emphasizes the importance of appropriate exercise for spine health. After surgery, she may recommend specific exercises for lower back pain and recovery, while being mindful of osteoporosis limitations.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Proper post-surgical care is crucial for preventing future fractures. Dr. Fischer provides comprehensive guidance including:
- Pre-surgical preparation
- Post-operative care instructions
- Recovery optimization tips
- 20 easy things to do while recovering
High-Risk Groups: Know Your Risk Factors
It’s never too early to raise your awareness about osteoporosis risk. You’re at higher risk if you are:
- Women over 50, especially those who are white or Asian
- Individuals with small body frames
- Women who went through menopause before age 50
- People with a family history of osteoporosis
- Those with sedentary lifestyles
- Individuals with poor nutrition or vitamin D deficiency
Advanced Treatment Options Available
Dr. Fischer utilizes the latest surgical techniques and technologies, including:
- Dual portal endoscopic spine surgery
- Unilateral biportal endoscopic spine surgery (UBES)
- Minimally invasive microdiscectomy
- Advanced laminectomy techniques
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Why Choose Dr. Fischer for Your Spine Care
When choosing your spine surgeon, experience and specialization matter. Dr. Fischer offers:
- Expertise in treating osteoporosis-related spinal fractures
- Advanced minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery
- Comprehensive pre and post-operative care
- Personalized treatment plans based on your specific condition
- Focus on fracture prevention and long-term spine health
Read what her patients are saying by viewing patient testimonials and success stories.
Expert Spinal Fracture Treatment in NYC
Dr. Fischer can create the right treatment plan for you if you’re diagnosed with a spinal compression fracture, no matter the reason. However, if yours is osteoporosis-related, she is invested in providing expert guidance on monitoring and management, customized treatment, and prevention.
Don’t wait to address your spine health:
(646) 501-7200
About Dr. Charla Fischer
Dr. Charla R. Fischer, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive techniques for treating spinal compression fractures and osteoporosis-related spine conditions. She is one of New York City’s leading experts in complex spine disorders.
Dr. Fischer’s expertise includes advanced surgical techniques for vertebral compression fractures, with a focus on minimally invasive approaches that promote faster healing and reduced complications. She is committed to patient education and long-term fracture prevention strategies.
Learn more about Dr. Fischer’s credentials and approach to spine care, or explore her media appearances and contributions to spine surgery research.
Additional Resources
For more information about spine health and related topics, explore these resources: