Osteoporosis as a Cause of Scoliosis in Edina, MN

Osteoporosis is both a cause and complicating factor in scoliosis cases.  Having osteoporosis can make a person susceptible to spinal fractures that can cause scoliosis.

Osteoporosis is a condition wherein the bones lose strength, become brittle, and then become susceptible to fracture.  Osteoporosis is caused and contributed to by hormonal, nutritional, metabolic and lifestyle choices.  Sometimes when a person has osteoporosis the spinal bones become brittle enough to fracture (collapse), even with mild pressure or impact. When that happens the person can develop scoliosis around the fracture area as the compressed and wedged vertebrae are no long creating a level foundation for the spine above.  It can also be the case that a person has had scoliosis for decades and as they age they develop osteoporosis.  Because the forces of gravity are being unequally distributed in the spine of a person with scoliosis, when osteoporosis progresses the spinal bones can then fracture (compress) and make the scoliosis even worse, sometimes very rapidly and dramatically.

• Osteoporosis causes bones to become weaker, more brittle and susceptible to fracture (collapse).
• When spinal bone compression fracture occurs because of osteoporosis the resultant wedge deformity of the vertebra can cause scoliosis.
• People with scoliosis become susceptible to spinal fractures if they develop osteoporosis with aging.
• Osteoporosis contributes to the development and progression of scoliosis.

At ScoliTech we have helped hundreds of patients with osteoporosis, and many with both osteoporosis and scoliosis. With a combination of gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments, exercise, and sometimes bracing we have been able to eliminate pain, stabilize the spine and prevent scoliosis from progressing in aging patients.