Osteoporosis can lead to dowagers humps

Many people seek information about dowagers humps, so I offer this page even though they are associated with Osteoporosisrather than Osteopenia.

Some frequently asked questions:

1. What is it? Can you define dowagers hump? The Merriam Webster Dictionary says that the term dowager means:
   "1 : a widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband; 2 : a dignified elderly woman "

   In advanced Osteoporosis vertebrae become so fragile that they fracture - often with little pressure. If the fracture is at the front of a vertebra, the vertebrae above the fracture site begin to tilt forward. This tilting of the spine makes for a curvature or hump on the back. Since older women often had advanced Osteoporosis of the spine, they were the ones who develop the fragility fractures - and so the name 'dowagers hump' became common for this condition.

   In the medical community, they use the term Kyphosis , a word meaning "bent-over posture".

2. Exactly what is the process for developing this condition? Kyphosis can occur in advanced Osteoporosis. Bone becomes so porous that it weakens and fractures spontaneously or with very little pressure. The fractured edge compresses and the vertebrae above it are shifted forward so that the spine is no longer straight upright. It tips forward and Kyphosis or 'dowagers hump' results. If additional vertebrae fracture or crumble, the back hump can become more pronounced.

   NOTE: Three types of spinal fractures that can happen in advanced Osteoporosis.

   • Wedge fracture - the front of the vertebra collapses.
   • Biocave fracture - The midsection of the vertebra collapses.
   • Crush fracture - the entire vertebra collapses.

   In a wedge fracture, the front of an individual vertebra collapses. Since the back of the vertebra remains intact, the vertebra 'tips' forward and the spine becomes slightly misaligned. As the vertebrae above the wedge fracture 'tip forward' they put stress on other vertebrae. This stress causes often causes other vertebrae to develop 'wedge fractures'. As more and more vertebrae collapse in wedge fractures, the back becomes more and more bowed.

3. Where in the spine do these fractures occur? Spinal fractures that lead to dowagers humps, usually occur in the thoracic or upper half of the lumbar spine. This area extends from the middle of your shoulder blades through your lower back behind your abdomen.

4. What causes these fractures? Do I need to fall or get hit by something? If you have advanced Osteoporosis, a spinal fracture could occur when lifting something or when sneezing or coughing. Some fractures happen as a person who is bent forward at the waist moves to an upright position. (There is a page about movements to avoid both during exercise and daily life at Osteoporosis exercise warning .

5. How will I know if I have a 'wedge fracture'?

   Many wedge fractures are 'silent'. They do not cause pain and so we do not notice them at all. Those that do cause pain are often ignored because "we are used to back pains".

   Often the first sign of spinal fracture is a loss of height.This is one reason why your health care provider continues to measure your height during your annual examination. If you notice a slight rounding of the upper back or a slightly 'tipped forward' posture in yourself, a relative or friend, you may be seeing the beginnings of dowagers hump.

   At other times these spinal fractures do cause pain. So, if you have Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, pay attention to any pain that starts unexpectedly - especially back pain that radiates forward towards your abdomen. It may be a sign of a vertebral fracture. Often this pain gets worse if you cough or sneeze. Sometimes it is relieved by lying down.

   Some women say that they 'feel full' or they lose their appetites after they have had one of these vertebral fracture.

   Sometimes the pain is severe and your health care provider may prescribe a pain reliever. Usually the pain begins to subside after a few weeks and often disappears entirely.

6. What is life like for those with dowagers humps? A person often feels muscle fatigue and pain because she needs to stretch her neck muscles in order to look 'the world in the face'. Also since her chin is now close to her rib cage, she is using new muscles to balance her head.

   It becomes more difficult to breath deeply since the dowagers hump or Kyphosis reduces the volume of the lungs.

   Some people feel distress when they notice that their abdomen protrudes as their posture changes to compensate for the change of the shape of their upper spine. Also, their changed posture makes it difficult to get clothes to fit well. Some women feel they want to avoid social occasions because they do not like the way they look. If this is a problem for you, you might consider talking to some trusted friends or a counselor at a health care or senior center.

   Finally, as the dowagers hump becomes more pronounced, some become afraid of falling. This fear often leads people to start limiting their activities. Using a walking stick staff, which can look quite elegant, or four pronged cane often relieves the fear of falling.

7. Is there any thing I can do? Are there any treatments for dowagers humps? Yes! there are. .

   First you can pay attention to what kind of mattress you are using. Yes, the mattress you are using. Do check out the recommendations on the mattress page.

   Second, there are several treatments for Kyphosis or Dowagers hump. To find out more about these go to dowagers humps or Kyphosis

   Third, you will want to increase the density of your bones. There are many ways you can do this. I suggest that you read some of the many natural treatments included on this web site. All of them have scientific research to back them up. You can start by looking at the Osteopenia Treatments page which gives you access to some of the most successful treatments.

   In particular, you may want to consider using a weighted vest - something that the Mayo clinic used with persons who had already developed dowagers humps. See: Weighted vests

   Also there are two forms of calcium that may be very useful. The first, studied by Dr. Fujita in Japan has been shown to increasebone density even in the very old. The special form of calcium is now available under the name: AAACA or Advacal Recently there is another brand of calcium made by a Canadian firm. While it does not have the history of published research studies, it does look promising. See: Algae Cal for more information.

Works consulted:

Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D & Sarah Wernick, Ph.D. Strong Women, Stay Young . Putnams, 1999.

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