Research Shows Older Women at Greater Risk for Spinal Fractures

It is more common for women to have spinal fractures than men.

According to research, 80% of the 10 million Americans with osteoporosis are women, which becomes a big issue for women as they age.

According to Jon I. McIver, M.D., board-certified neurosurgeon with The Minimally Invasive Brain and Spine Center at Mercy, many of his patients with spinal fractures are over the age of 50. He said the age often coincides with menopause, hormonal changes, and women losing bone density.

With spinal fractures, there’s usually not a fall or impact trauma that a person can point to that started their symptoms.

“Usually it’s pain, but other people notice a change in posture… they’re forward flexed, what we call ‘kyphotic.’ That loss of height and that forward bend can also be a sign of compression fractures,” Dr. McIver said.

Dr. McIver explained that it may also affect people who have an overactive thyroid, saying that having an excess of the thyroid hormone can affect bone density.

Patients who say they’re in pain will get an X-ray. Pain management is the first line of treatment, but prevention is key—so, focus on what you can do now, like working out with weights, eating more beans and greens, and avoiding smoking or drinking alcohol.

View Mercy neurosurgeon Dr. Jon McIver’s interview regarding women and spinal fractures.