Ellen:

Sorry I just now saw this. My mother had the kyphoplasty procedure in October 2008 (I think) because she had a fractured vertebra (L1/2 area).

She still complains with a great deal of pain, but she is 74 years old and in very poor health. She is not very active at all (not that I expect her to be running marathons or anything, but, she is very - very - sedentary).

How have you been doing since you had the procedure? Remember that the kyphoplasty is just cement and will take time to "set". Be very careful and follow your doctor's orders TO THE "T". Do NOT overdo, no matter how good you are feeling. And, believe me - when you are in chronic pain all the time, the least little bit of improvement and you think you are cured. Not the case. So, take baby steps, give yourself time to heal and FOLLOW ORDERS!!

If you can - or rather, when you can - give us an update. I love hearing success stories!

Jeaux

I have a consult tomorrow morning - has anyone had this procedure at EDITED?
The fracture is now 5 months ago. In retrospect, it was visible on the first set of x-rays after a hard fall but went undiagnosed until recently. I've just mustered through a lot of pain and am looking forward to the relief this promises.
I have read that kyphoplasty should be performed sooner - anyone have experience at the 5+ month time line?
And I am 51 - anyone in this age group have this done?

Doctors name and contact details removed by forum Moderator (paulgla). We do not permit publishing specific doctor's or institution names and contact details.

I was referred to get kyphoplasty done on my vertebrae for fractures. I also have herniated discs. After careful research I chose to see a chiropractor that uses several techniques to gradually help the spine to recuperate and heal. After about 1.5 years I am much better now and can do everything I used to before. I elected chiropractic care rather than conventional surgery and medicine, due to the terminal effects of kyphoplasty that resulted in the death of a friend shortly after the procedure. She developed pneumothorax (a collection of free air in the chest outside the lung that causes the lung to collapse) had a chest tube placed in her, began bleeding, became anemic, slipped into a coma and ultimately died. I found this information link to be very helpful in my decision making. I hope it helps you too.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CoverageGenInfo/downloads/ncdpotentialtopics-mary...
Good Luck.

For a Spine-Health Site introduction, Click on :

Welcome To Spine-Health

If you have any questions, feel free to contact (PM) any one of the Moderators here Priestess , Bruce , Paulgla, DiLauro

The Spine-Health Web site offers so much more than these Member Forums.
Check the various tabs at the top of the Spine-Health page and you will find so much that is offered here.

Please remember that all information you receive from members on this forum is NOT
formal medical advise. You should always consult with your doctors.

To get back to the Forums, you can always click on Forum Home

Please feel free to contact me at rdilauro@gmail.com or send me a message
________________________________________________________________________________
I personally do not have any details on this, but Spine-Health offers detailed information.. Take a look at:
Kyphoplasty

Hi, Ellen, I suffered a severe compression-burst fracture at L1-L2 after being pounded in a bow seat in a boat repeatedly...and lost about 1" of height. I started researching options while still an inpatient.

The kyphoplasty is the newest operation for this and there were not many studies and stats then (2004). It sounded wonderful. Over 90% of patients reported no pain afterwards...but again, the stats were few and perhaps not valid.

I was judged to be a candidate and was looking forward to tossing away the brace and cane. I was in my 40s and very active and working out prior to this operation.

It was not successful. I am still in very much pain, only gained back about .25" of spine and no other operation can be performed on the area again. Also, my spine had started to heal within the 3 months between injury and surgery which the NS says impeded the balloon's ability. Also, the site of surgery ended up with a crooked healing which compounds the pain.

I do not need my cane all the time and I have retired my brace mostly, but the pain is constant still. It is pretty much non-invasive surgery, so you should definitely consider it. Also I'm sure you're looking at the vertbraplasty too. The kypho has fewer risks, I believe, and you may well be in the 90% with no pain thereafter. Just remember when you read studies the 10% of us that do exist for which this was not a miracle.

I hope all goes well if you need surgery. take care. Charry

After my L4 fusion on Nov 20th I had a major spasm and fell fracturing L3. Ive been in pain for the 8wks since I fell on 1/27/09. Now the dr. is saying another 5 wks to recover. After all Ive been through I was advised of this procedure. I NEED to recover from all this already. Should I do this or just continue to heal for more wks. My bottom line concern is the potential for adjacent segment fractures if this is cemented. Any ideas. This is current and needs to be addressed asap. Thanks,
Vicki

I fell appx 30 feet 4 wks, 3 days ago. I have a 40-60% wedge fracture of T8 anteriorally, T8 right transverse process broken in 3 places, T7 posterior spinous process complete fracture and 4th and 5th minimally displaced right side rib fractures. I was Trauma flighted and later that day told by a first year resident I didn't need a brace. I refused to move without one. I have seen probably 4 neurosurgeons, absolutely not one has mentioned any alternatives other than 10-12 weeks in the brace then rehab. I was very clear to all of the doctors I am extremely physically active (snowboard, mountain bike, wakeboard) all pretty physically demanding stuff. I had never even heard of kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty until I found this sight about 20 minutes ago. Common sense (in my mind or opinion) seems that one of those procedurs could help me not only now but in the future. Has anyone else had any experience like mine and had either procedure? I am just looking for what is going to be best for me for the rest of my life and not live in fear I will re-injure my back because it was left to heal into a wedge, thanks

T.

I am, by nature a very positive and optimistic person I only found this site yesterday----but now i am scared !

I was knocked off a motorbike hospitalised, discharged with'bruising' 2 days later returned in agony only to be told I had a compressed fracture 11th T........they 'forgot' to tell me !!

I eventually was fitted with a brace i have had it on for 3 months but my orthopedic surgeon is not happy with my progress and is sending me for an MRI scan, with a view to having Kyphoplasty. He has been very honest and says it will not erradicate pain...........so why have it done ? is it to prevent curvature of the spine ? I have since
been diagnosed with osteoporosis I am 53, but very young at heart and fit for my age. and to be honest still think everything will be ....am I kidding myself ?

Hi Patience

You found a great place for info and support. Can't lie to you, back problems take a long long time to diagnose and cure. Often pain management is the solution.

I always think a second opinion is necessary before any surgery no matter how much you love your surgeon. Remember doctors are only human and they miss things and make mistakes. I don't want to be the one they make a mistake on - lol.

Have you done anything else since your accident? PT or massage or anything else?

If you have questions ask the doctor. I try to make a list so that I don't forget. ALso taking someone with you can help if you feel overwhelmed by the office atmosphere. I love my ortho but sometimes I know he is rushing because the guy in the next room is in more need than I seem to be.

The more info you share the more likely that someone here will be able to relate to you and share their experiences.

Good Luck and again Welcome!!

Kris-NY

thanks for your comments I've got 3 months to prepare myself and get as fit as I can within my capabilities,......My surgeon says it's ok to use my air walker so i am using that every day building the time up slowly, and I am doing the 'step' on Wii Fit....I enjoy that, and I go out walking when I can........I have to keep this up as I'm starting to put weight on.....only 7 pounds but enough to go back up a dress size so I want to nip it in the bud.....every day is a new day so I will endeavour to kepp positive....I know there are a lot of folkes out there a lot worse off than me, and in some ways I know i was lucky , it could have been a lot worse.

Cheers everyone

be lucky
Janet