What are the pros and cons for Kyphoplasty?

I developed Kyphosis following a slip and fall. I am reading about Kyphoplasty as a treatment. Has anyone had this
Procedure. The fall was about 5 years ago. I don’t have pain and still able to walk a mile a day. I do have the spine and neck bending forward. I am thinking about Ktphoplasty to improve posture and for spine repair. Has anyone had this procedure.
Steve

I did not have kyphoplasty, despite several fractures. I fractured T6 an T12 with a fall onto the corner of concrete steps (seems to have happened to someone else here!). ER x-ray did not show fracture. I went through months of pain while PCP kept telling me it was soft tissue injury. Finally saw a specialist who said compression fractures don't show up in the first 24-48 hours on x-ray and that I most certainly had fractures. Too late for kyphoplasty. The pain did go away, maybe after 6-8 months.

Last spring I had three lumbar fractures that were actually osteoporotic, from an unfortunate movement- no trauma. My doc considered kyphoplasty. He considers it for pain relief only because he believes outcome is the same with or without, over time. He said "less is more." I asked about the risks I had read about: cement leaking into lungs, glass-like features of hardened cement that might increase chances of adjacent fractures etc. He said he had done thousands of them without problems.

I chose the "less is more" route and went with doc's recommendation not to have it. I am not sure what effect osteoporosis might have with kyphoplasty results, but I intuitively didn't like the idea of hard cement in soft bones!

@steveflorida Steve, when Kyphoplasty was under consideration for my mom, it was at the time of a compression fracture in her spine and it is a way to cement the pieces of the vertebrae back together with bone cement. Your best bet is to consult a good spine surgeon about your kyphosis and what could be done to improve your posture if it does need surgical intervention. Surgeons may not think surgery is an answer if you are not in pain, and that may also depend on age and the condition of the rest of your spine. Perhaps a physical therapist could help if it is postural and related to weaken core strength. Have you consulted a physical therapist?

Jennifer
Thank you for your reply. I have
Done physical therapy with out success. I am seeing a Neurosurgeon. I am just trying to find options. Thank you for your response.
Steve W

@kjs1964 Hi, regarding therapy for your mother, I have fractured four vertebras - I am currently going to therapy - it is called strain counter strain, cranial-sacral, and fascial release. You have to look it up to find a therapist who has these skills. Insurance pays; of course, all policies are different. It is the least invasive type of therapy and has great results. Because of chronic pain I have tried many types of therapy and find this to be worth a try. Sylvia

@kjs1964 thanks for this suggestion. How did you go about finding a PT with these skills?

Hi, To find a therapist with these skills, I typed into your computer strain counterstrain and add your location. Once you find a place, ask if they also do cranial-sacral, etc., they all are essential, but all are an excellent start to helping a person heal. You will be surprised, and it is worth it. I am blessed; it truly is a gift.

Dr said compression fracture at top of fusion T12. I don’t know when I did this. Has anyone had kyphopladty after a fracture?

Yes I have. I hope you do not have pain. I had a kyphoplasty but unfortunately it was long after the fractures occurred , I too do am sure how I did mine although I have osteoporosis. The kyphoplasty for me did not stop the pain as too much time had elapsed, but my pain is also dependent on activity., there are other procedures that you may consider. If there’s any nerve pain associated with it you could try and intercostal nerve block, I did that but unfortunately that did not work for me either. I don’t mean to discourage you just trying to give you some options depending on what your doctor says. My. last attempt will be radiofrequency ablation of the nerves in that area. Good luck.

Thank you for answering. I don’t know when I did this and fear too much time has gone by. Thank you again.