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What are the pros and cons for Kyphoplasty?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 5, 2023 | Replies (55)Comment receiving replies
@martinkda @johnbishop I had my kyphoplasty in 2004. I had a bad fall onto my back on a concrete stairway. I was away when it happened and when I got home and had an appointment with my PCP she suggested kyphoplasty. I didn't really know much so I allowed her to contact the radiologist who does them - he's an expert on it and trains other doctors - and I met with him and had it done. I felt immediate relief but about two weeks later I slipped and I twisted to try to catch myself and it was never quite the same after that. Interestingly it was assumed that I must have osteoporosis but I coincidentally had a DEXA set up right around the same time and my bones were great! It was just a very hard fall.
Due to the way it was set up I had no doctor to turn to. My PCP was not schooled in kyphoplasty and radiologists do not see patients so I was out on a limb. What I know now is that she should have referred me to a different doctor who could have managed things. I don't know if that would be an orthopedic doctor or a neurologist. I think that when I twisted I dislodged the cement. Now I have two lumps sticking out along my spine that look like noses! 😉 I would definitely do it again but I would make sure that I went through more helpful channels. I was just too dumb back then to know better. I realize that my PCP was trying to help but I would have liked to have been able to speak to a knowledgeable doctor about it afterward.
JK
Replies to "@martinkda @johnbishop I had my kyphoplasty in 2004. I had a bad fall onto my back..."
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I would like to invite @kjs1964 into this discussion on kyphoplasty also known as vertebroplasty. Here you may connect with several others who are talking about their experiences with kyphoplasty.
I also wanted to let you know that if you use the search box at the top of the Connect screen, you can find other discussions where kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty are mentioned. My elderly mom was considered for kyphoplasty after a spinal compression fracture, but was not a candidate because of her severe osteoporosis. Instead, she was given a back brace and sent to rehab. After 3 months, the spine specialist (spine surgeon) said the brace was no longer necessary because the bones had healed and they did heal with a curvature of 43 degrees which was a bit worse than the curve at the time of the fracture. This was because my mom wasn't wearing the brace as much as she was supposed to do.
It is of note that the specialist who was consulted for this procedure was a spine surgeon who would be an expert on spine alignment and functional issues.