骨質疏鬆症引起脊椎骨質疏鬆壓迫性骨折,是台灣高齡化社會下很重要的議題,骨折造成高齡長者背痛、脊柱畸形及失能的臨床表現,長期臥床下也會增加壓力性損傷、肺炎等併發症,隨著醫療進步有多元治療的選擇,治療的趨勢也從過去的保守治療,慢慢傾向手術治療,醫護人員需需充分告知病人及家屬可選擇的醫療決策,以減輕疼痛,改善生活品質,及早下床恢復身體功能,但不論保守治療或手術治療,都僅是症狀治療,臨床須加強骨質疏鬆性骨折預防,指導高齡者養成健康的生活方式,同時鼓勵負重和肌肉伸展運動,評估病人跌倒的危險因子,並進行防跌處置,唯有提升民眾及醫療人員對骨質疏鬆的敏感度,提升醫療照護品質,才能預防脊椎骨質疏鬆壓迫性骨折的發生。
Osteoporosis is an inevitable health issue that affects all elder people. It increases incidence of spinal compression fracture, pain, spinal deformity, and disability. Fracture may lead to long-term bedridden that result in pressure injury and pneumonia. Currently, there are multiple treatment modalities for the consequences of osteoporosis and surgical interventions to relieve pain to promote mobility and quality of daily activities is the trend. Whether conservative or surgical treatment is mostly for symptomatic relieve only. The fundamental treatment strategy is to cure osteoporosis and prevent the next fracture. Proper management of osteoporosis includes prevention, early diagnosis, proper rehabilitation and diligent follow-up care. Encourage patient perform weight-bearing and muscle stretching exercises, assess patient's risk for fall and implement strategy to prevent falls. Increase sensitivity of public and healthcare workers on osteoporosis may reduce negative outcome from fracture and related complications.