a fracture of the spine whether from osteoporosis trauma or cancer is basically a broken bone. the usual treatment for a broken bone is to stabilize it. a broken vertebral body can be stabilized either by a percutaneous (through the skin) procedure such as a vertebroplasty kyphoplasty or by open surgical procedures. an older technique now rarely used is to remove or sever the nerves supplying the bone; these nerves are called the gray rami communicans. finally various medications for pain can be used. these would include the full range of pain medications including over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen aspirin and the various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and various prescription medications including hydrocodone morphine preparations and the fentanyl patch.
what treatment options are there for fracture of the spine due to osteoporosis besides morphine patches?