[The treatment of vertebral osteoporosis. Use of sodium fluoride and sodium monofluorophosphate in combination with calcium].

The ideal curative treatment of osteoporosis must be capable of raising the trabecular bone mass to its former level, since only a substantial increase in bone mass can reduce the fracture rate of the spine. Fluoride is an effective activator of osteoblasts and thus increases axial bone mass and decreases the vertebral fracture rate. The drawbacks of the formerly used sodium fluoride such as gastrolesivity and its in compatibility with concomitant calcium intake were overcome by using sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) as the source of fluoride. MFP is well tolerated gastrointestinally and can be used concomitantly with calcium-containing medicaments or with calcium-rich alimentation. Fluoride treatment has proved to be an effective measure against continued progression of osteoporosis, and possible risks present no difficulties. The benefits of this therapy certainly outweigh possible adverse effects.