Has anyone had luck with kyphoplasty for compression fractures.

In 2018 I had two kphoplasties at the level of T11-T12 and L1-L2. After the procedure I felt much better, but I am not 100% pain free. My osteoporosis is secondary to Crohn`s disease. I am glad I had the procedure done because I am more active and worry less about those fractures. Before the kyphoplasties my physical activity was very limited. Good luck!

I fractured my L3 in January. I had a severe cough from a flu that lasted a few weeks. While in bed one night from coughing up so much phlegm, I stayed leaned over the side of the bed (it was as if I was vomiting phlegm that's how severe it was) caused the L3 and the rest of the lumbar spine to get out of whack. Before this, I had never had one bit of back problems. The next morning I had a mild discomfort over my left buttock. After that, every day the severe cough lasted brought more and more severe pain in the same area (as well as down the outer thigh) until I no longer could stand or sit. I had become bedridden. The spine doctor surmised that every day I continued with the severe cough (10 days) stressed the vertebra to a point of fracture. After those 10 days, I literally couldn't stand or sit for more than a few seconds. The pain was off the charts. My husband carried me into the spine surgeon's office where he performed two emergency epidural shots (emergency because I had yet to have an MRI -which I did 5 days later - so insurance denied coverage without an MRI). By this time I had tried an opioid which brought the pain down from a 10+ to only an 8 so I stopped it because it wasn't worth the risk. The shots slowly kicked in over the course of two weeks and I was able to stand for a bit more time every day, although I couldn't sit for about a month afterwards. I also lost 12 lbs (down to 97 lbs) because I was bedridden for all that time and lost tremendous amount of muscle. My spine doc (from NYU) believed in conservative treatment and no bracing.

Here's the interesting part: After 3 months, I went to see a physiatrist (a rehabilitation MD) to get the okay to begin physical therapy. He took a long time studying my MRI and said that although vertebra fractures can be excruciating, he's certain - because of where my severe pain was (over left buttock and down outer thigh) - was NOT caused by the fracture. but was caused by severely herniated disks (yup, caused by that excessive coughing). Besides a compressed vertebra, I had herniated disks in all the lower lumbar - the most severe one pressing on the very nerve that caused my out-of-control pain.

Interestingly, I just found an academic article about a 60-year-old man who basically went through the same thing but without a vertebra fracture. He had no prior back pain but due to severe coughing, he herniated his discs on the lower spine.

Needless to say, I paid a visit to a pulmonologist and told him that if I was ever that sick again with that severe of a cough, I need a Z-Pak pronto. It was only after I started the Z-Pak after 10 days that the cough began to get significantly better. I only mention this because many doctors hesitate to prescribe antibiotics for a viral respiratory infection. But after 5 days, if a cough is not getting better, antibiotics are in order. If anything, to protect our fragile vertebrae and disks from the effects of severe cough.

I'm very sorry to hear what you had gone through and sure hope that you've recovered fully. When I was newly diagnosed two years ago, I couldn't believe coughing could potentially cause compression fracture, until... I got COVID. I realized how severe cough could be to potentially aggrevate our weakened spine. Shared experiences by members on this forum are extremely valuable. Thank you very much @doreenc for taking your time sharing your story and knowledge!

Hi there. Yes happy to clarify.
My lumbar T score was -0.4, left fem neck -0.5, right -0.7, left hip -0.8, right hip -0.9
I saw an endocrinologist following this test because of the compression fractures. If you have compression fractures with no impact or trauma, that by definition is osteoporosis. Because my dexa was normal I was reluctant to start on a drug that was suggested. My labs showed a low
level abnormal protein band, and I was referred to hematology for
further tests and evaluations - in conjunction with the fractures this could be indicative of a more serious issue such as multiple myeloma.

Currently my diagnosis is MGUS which is a watch and monitor disease with many unknowns.

I had a T 8 khyphoplasty by an interventional radiologist—the procedure fractured the vertebrae above it—I was told “that is a risk”.
I declined another procedure. Ask your provider about the “risk”.
I was in acute pain w/ the first one—not as much w/ the second. I let it “heal” on it’s on. I am currently a year into TYMLOS for osteoporosis. Started after spinal fractures. Have a DEXA next week to see how it’s working!