Bone loss is silent — until a fracture happens. Our orthopedic specialists treat vertebral compression fractures with minimally invasive kyphoplasty and partner with your care team to prevent the next one.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and porous — so brittle that a minor fall, a cough, or even bending forward can cause a fracture. Over 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and an additional 44 million have low bone density (osteopenia), placing them at elevated risk.
The spine, hip, and wrist are the most vulnerable areas. Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) — the most common fracture from osteoporosis — occur when a vertebral body collapses under normal load. Many patients attribute this sudden pain to a muscle pull, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical. Each fracture significantly increases the risk of subsequent fractures — and hip fractures in older adults carry a one-year mortality rate of up to 30%.
Many risk factors for osteoporosis are non-modifiable, but identifying them early allows proactive screening and prevention strategies.
Women over 50 and all adults over 70. Post-menopausal estrogen loss dramatically accelerates bone loss — women lose up to 20% of bone density in the 5–7 years after menopause.
A parent with a hip fracture or history of osteoporosis significantly increases your risk, independent of other factors.
Patients with a BMI under 19 kg/m² have less mechanical bone loading and often lower bone density throughout the skeleton.
Long-term corticosteroids (prednisone), proton pump inhibitors, anticonvulsants, and certain cancer therapies can significantly reduce bone density.
Tobacco impairs osteoblast function. Heavy alcohol consumption interferes with calcium absorption and increases fall risk — a double hazard.
A history of any fragility fracture — wrist, hip, or vertebral — is one of the strongest predictors of future fracture. This demands immediate evaluation and treatment.
Our orthopedic team focuses on both treating existing fractures and working with your primary care provider to address the underlying bone health issue.
The gold-standard minimally invasive treatment for painful vertebral compression fractures from osteoporosis. A small balloon restores the collapsed vertebra, then bone cement stabilizes it — through needle-sized portals, under local anesthesia, with same-day discharge. Most patients experience dramatic pain relief within 24–48 hours.
Hip fractures in osteoporotic patients require urgent surgical intervention. We perform ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) and arthroplasty (partial or total hip replacement) for hip fractures — coordinating with hospitalist and anesthesia teams for optimal outcomes in medically complex patients.
We identify underlying osteoporosis in all fragility fracture patients and initiate appropriate referrals for DEXA bone density scanning, endocrinology consultation, and medical management — closing the care gap that leads to second fractures.
We provide home safety recommendations, physical therapy referrals focused on balance and strength, medication review for fall-risk drugs, and coordination with your primary care provider for optimized osteoporosis medical therapy.
Vertebral compression fractures are often dismissed as back muscle strain. Know these warning signs:
Sudden onset of mid or upper back pain — often without a significant injury
Pain that worsens with standing, walking, or any spine loading — and improves lying down
Progressive loss of height — even a 1–2 inch reduction is clinically significant
Kyphosis (forward-rounding of the thoracic spine) — the "dowager's hump" deformity
Back pain after a very minor activity — reaching overhead, mild fall, or sneezing
Kyphoplasty is most effective when performed within 8 weeks of fracture onset — before the vertebral body begins to consolidate in a compressed position. After this window, the procedure becomes less effective and the deformity becomes harder to correct.
Early treatment also prevents the cascade of complications that follows untreated vertebral fractures: progressive kyphotic deformity, reduced lung capacity, chronic pain, depression, decreased mobility, and — most critically — increased risk of subsequent fractures.
If you or someone you know is experiencing sudden back pain and is over 60, has osteoporosis, or is on corticosteroids — seek orthopedic evaluation promptly. Call (714) 598-1745 for a same-week appointment.
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become weak and brittle — so weak that a fall or even mild stress like bending or coughing can cause a fracture. It affects over 10 million Americans and is responsible for approximately 1.5 million fractures per year, most commonly in the spine, hip, and wrist.
A fragility fracture occurs from a force that would not normally break a healthy bone — such as a fall from standing height or a minor impact. Vertebral compression fractures, hip fractures, and wrist fractures in older adults are classic fragility fractures indicating underlying osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is diagnosed with a DEXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) bone density scan, which measures bone mineral density in the hip and spine. Results are reported as T-scores: above -1.0 is normal, -1.0 to -2.5 is osteopenia (low bone mass), and below -2.5 is osteoporosis.
Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that treats painful vertebral compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. A small balloon is inserted through a needle-sized port to restore the collapsed vertebral body to its original height, then bone cement stabilizes the fracture. Most patients experience significant pain relief and go home the same day.
Yes. With proper diagnosis and treatment, many osteoporosis fractures can be prevented — including medical management (bisphosphonates, denosumab, anabolic agents), adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation, weight-bearing exercise, fall prevention strategies, and close monitoring with serial DEXA scans.
Minimally invasive treatment for vertebral compression fractures — same-day procedure, rapid pain relief, Medicare covered.
Recognize the symptoms of VCF — sudden back pain that worsens with activity and doesn't improve with rest.
Comprehensive orthopedic fracture management — from wrist and ankle fractures to complex hip and spine injuries.
Restore Orthopedics & Spine Center is located at 1120 W La Veta Ave, Suite 300, Orange, CA 92868. We treat osteoporosis-related fractures and provide kyphoplasty for patients from throughout Orange County including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Fullerton, Tustin, Garden Grove, Costa Mesa, Yorba Linda, Brea, La Habra, Whittier, Downey, Cerritos, Long Beach, and greater Los Angeles.
Sudden back pain in an older adult may be a vertebral fracture. Same-week appointments. On-site imaging. Medicare accepted.