1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
Profile picture for maggie25

My story, Kyphoplasty advice

Posted by maggie25 @maggie25, Jun 10, 2024

In 2020 I broke my L1 vertebrae falling off the bed while having a leg cramp and that's when I learned I have osteoporosis. In the following two years I managed to increase my lumbar T-score from -4.6 to -4.0 by doing osteoporosis specific exercises from the Bone Clinic in Australia, and taking supplements. Three weeks ago I had a Dexa scan and my lumbar T-score dropped back to -4.4 and it showed three new, stable compression fractures in the lumbar region which were from shoveling snow early this year. Then, two weeks ago I restarted my osteoporosis exercises after not doing them for 8 months. As a result, I injured my back again with a compression fracture at T7, possibly from jumping jacks.
This morning I visited the surgeon who does kyphoplasty and he recommended the surgery to prevent the compression fracture from worsening into more of a wedge. He also said it would alleviate any pain in the area. I have barely any pain and often no pain, but I don't want another wedge shaped vertebrae. I understand the wedges compound and can damage the entire spine. Additionally, the surgeon mentioned there are 4 studies which disprove the idea that the hardness of cement in one vertebrae can cause other vertebrae to fracture around it. He gave me this article. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38811388/ I am trying to decide if I should do this. If I do the surgery, it needs to be done soon. I appreciate any advice on kyphoplasty.
In addition to having to make the decision on surgery, I now I feel my bones are too fragile to do many of the activities I love, especially bicycling, at least until I can get my bones back on track.
I'm just beginning to read more on osteoporosis and follow discussions here. I very much want to do things naturally but realize perhaps that isn't enough at this stage. I appreciate reading discussions on Osteostrong, Keith McCormick, Dr. Doug Lucas and others.
If anyone has a provider who is an osteoporosis expert they like, and especially one who uses both natural and traditional cures, I would very much appreciate it if you could share that.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for iusdcm1
iusdcm1 | @iusdcm1 | Jan 18, 2025
In reply to @maggie25 "I didn’t do the kyphoplasty but it might have been better if I had. Fractures in..." + (show)
Profile picture for maggie25 @maggie25

I didn’t do the kyphoplasty but it might have been better if I had. Fractures in the upper back can create a curved spine which can lead to other problems - mine was T7.

Jump to this post

Thanks @maggie22. I think I will go ahead with it next week. I am afraid to do it but more afraid not to.

REPLY
Profile picture for sharon31
sharon31 | @sharon31 | Jan 19, 2025

Dear Maggie 25,
I can't advise on kyphoplasty, but for myself at -3.6 for spine, improved from -4, I avoid jumping but there is plenty you can do when you are healed.
Do get advice but I do heel drops, bird dog, dead bug and other exercises.
I do wish you well, Sharon

REPLY
Profile picture for redlo
redlo | @redlo | Jan 20, 2025

I also needed back surgery, a fusion, which they could not do due to my osteoporosis. I was started on Forteo to build bones so I could eventually have the surgery to relieve pain and stabilize my bones. After talking to my endocrinologist she explained many athletes take a bone Builder, Tymlos or Forteo to help with rapid healing. Iwas
told. After 18 months of Forteo and 6month to 1 yr of Fosmax. I could (probably) maintain with healthy diet and exercise.
(I have no other health issues) with your number i would start an anabolic medicine. Best regards.

REPLY
Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | Jan 20, 2025

I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of the vertebra involved. Early in the application of the bone cement there was a tendency to overfill the leaking of which it thought to have caused fracture in lower vertebra. Even without pain, I think kyphoplasty is well worth having.

REPLY
3 replies
Profile picture for windyshores
windyshores | @windyshores | Jan 20, 2025
In reply to @gently "I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of..." + (show)
Profile picture for gently @gently

I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of the vertebra involved. Early in the application of the bone cement there was a tendency to overfill the leaking of which it thought to have caused fracture in lower vertebra. Even without pain, I think kyphoplasty is well worth having.

Jump to this post

My surgeon recommended against kyphoplasty and said the outcome would be the same without, but that in the short term it sometimes brought some pain relief. I have 7 fractures and haven't had any kyphoplasties. Who knows what the right decision is: there are pros and cons to both.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for daun44
daun44 | @daun44 | Jan 20, 2025
In reply to @gently "I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of..." + (show)
Profile picture for gently @gently

I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of the vertebra involved. Early in the application of the bone cement there was a tendency to overfill the leaking of which it thought to have caused fracture in lower vertebra. Even without pain, I think kyphoplasty is well worth having.

Jump to this post

I needed phys therapy after because of back pain. I bought a pair of Hoka sneakers. The pts told me one mile was enough, don't push it. Now I do 5 miles. Be on the watch for compression fractures. I got a comp fracture from pulling out weeds. Got that fixed and are now getting Evenity shots.Take it as a warning sign and do what's needed now for prevention. Good Luck.

REPLY
Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | Jan 20, 2025
In reply to @windyshores "My surgeon recommended against kyphoplasty and said the outcome would be the same without, but that..." + (show)
Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

My surgeon recommended against kyphoplasty and said the outcome would be the same without, but that in the short term it sometimes brought some pain relief. I have 7 fractures and haven't had any kyphoplasties. Who knows what the right decision is: there are pros and cons to both.

Jump to this post

delete

REPLY
Profile picture for harrington50
harrington50 | @harrington50 | Mar 29, 2025
In reply to @gently "I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of..." + (show)
Profile picture for gently @gently

I'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of the vertebra involved. Early in the application of the bone cement there was a tendency to overfill the leaking of which it thought to have caused fracture in lower vertebra. Even without pain, I think kyphoplasty is well worth having.

Jump to this post

can kyphoplasty or osteoplasty (or other modality) be used to reconstruct entire sections of a spine diagnosed with severe osteoporosis 50+ years post-Harrington rod surgery?

REPLY
Profile picture for gently
gently | @gently | Mar 29, 2025

hi harrington50,
the timeline on kyphoplasty is eight weeks because by then the vertebral bone has started to heal. Kyphoplasty is said to restore 50 to 91% of lost height. Vertebroplasty can be performed many years later, but it doesn't restore height. It is sometimes done to protect a vertebral body from further collapse, or for stabilization.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for bebagar
bebagar | @bebagar | 2 days ago
In reply to @windyshores "@maggie25 with five fractures and a score in the -4's, I am pretty sure Keith McCormick..." + (show)
Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

@maggie25 with five fractures and a score in the -4's, I am pretty sure Keith McCormick will tell you to go on Tymlos, Forteo or Evenity asap. He does in person and phone consults for $350 for the initial consultation and $85 thereafter for 15 minute check ins. But a traditional endocrinologist with expertise in osteoporosis could be a place to start and then you could add on the supportive holistic approaches.

I have 6 spinal fractures, 3 from a traumatic fall in 2006, 3 from an unwise movement in 2021. I hate to say this, but bicycling, shoveling and jumping jacks are probably dangerous for you and will be forever. My spine was at -3.7 when I had those 3 lumbar fractures and Tymlos got it back to -2.5 but that doesn't mean bone quality has been restored. And my femur neck is still -3.6. Hip went from -3.3 to -2.9. I did Tymlos, 4 months Evenity, and will do a partial dose of Reclast this week.

If you have more fractures or they worsen, you will have trouble lifting anything, opening windows etc., possible effects on GI and lung function, even heart (I get afib if I eat a normal amount at one time). I do not feel I have maintained my independence in many ways.

I hope you will consider meds. It sounds, frankly, like you are in danger. I know I am, even with improved bone density.

I did not have kyphoplasty. Every doctor has a different opinion on this. My orthopedist said it helped with pain initially (I was in severe pain) but the outcome would be the same. Not only did he think that the glassy composition of the kyphoplasty might encourage fractures (I am reading the article you posted) but I was still concerned about leakage of cement into lungs or other areas.

I accept a certain disability level and that it won't get better. I am able to walk 20 miles in a weekend (not entirely pain free) but have trouble opening a window, lifting a pot to cook, or lifting groceries (one liter seltzer bottle is about my limit). I do tai chi- that is relatively safe.

I know you aren't where I am but your could be. I hope you consider meds. They work. You can supplement and also follow up the meds with holistic approaches. McCormick and Lani Simpson, both proponents of "whole body" approaches, have done meds. McCormick did Forteo and Fosamax before other meds were available.

Pick up his book "Great Bones" and maybe watch Dr. ben Leder's video on YouTube "Conbinations and Sequencing Approaches to Osteroporosis." Tymlos is great because the dose is adjustable and you can ramp up. Great for spine. Evenity turbocharges density and you may have that suggested. Read up on sclersostin. I have a feeling you will prefer Tymlos!

Jump to this post

@windyshores Thanks for these tips....I'm on Tymlos now for 138 days and doing well so far...minimal side effects.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.