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Kyphoplasty

Posted by grrranny @grrranny, Nov 10, 2023

My 82 year-old husband is having his second kyphoplasty later this month. The first one was two years ago for a burst thoracic vertebra T8. This one is for a new compression fracture T9. He has severe kyphosis from Osteoporosis and Rheumatoid Arthritis, but was gradually able to function pretty well after his first surgery, although it took a while. I’m hoping he will get some physical therapy afterward this time, so he might be able to recover faster and gain more flexibility. Those of you with kyphoplasty experience: have you had success with Physical Therapy? Osteoporosis medication??

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Profile picture for Phil, Alumni Mentor
Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @grrranny "My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago --..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago -- to the point where the pain has affected his appetite adversely. He still has to take a muscle relaxer and pain med every day, is lying on a heating pad in his recliner, and is not able to walk around the room but a few times every day. Have any of you experienced anything like this after Kyphoplasty surgery? I'm concerned about his slow recovery from this T9 Kyphoplasty compared to the one on his T8 two years ago.

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I am 7 1/2 months post lumbar decompression and fusion. While certainly not kyphoplasty, the minimally invasive procedure might be roughly the same? I have been chasing a similar abdominal issue and am happy to share what I’ve recently learned. One question first: where was the incision made?

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grrranny | @grrranny | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @grrranny "My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago --..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago -- to the point where the pain has affected his appetite adversely. He still has to take a muscle relaxer and pain med every day, is lying on a heating pad in his recliner, and is not able to walk around the room but a few times every day. Have any of you experienced anything like this after Kyphoplasty surgery? I'm concerned about his slow recovery from this T9 Kyphoplasty compared to the one on his T8 two years ago.

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Thanks; hubby’s incision was made in his back.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @grrranny "Thanks, Gently. Hubby is able to sit upright or in recliner with legs up comfortably, as..." + (show)
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Thanks, Gently. Hubby is able to sit upright or in recliner with legs up comfortably, as well as lie on his side in bed. Has trouble standing for more than a few minutes. Today, he's describing the tight abdomen/stomach pain as "stress". He's supposed to get up and walk around the room every hour or so, but he's not doing it as much as his surgeon recommended. Just wants to lie in his recliner, watch football and have me bring him juice, banana, cookie and Ensure Protein drink, instead of his usual breakfast of Shredded Wheat N Bran that he's been having for maybe a half century. Had a half bowl of chicken Fettucini last night. It's hard to find things that he feels like eating. Seems to be mostly soft foods.
Another follow-up with orthopedic surgeon in a couple of weeks. Hopefully, we'll get some answers and solutions. Best of luck to your friend, and thanks for sharing your suggestions!

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@grrranny It is very common for older folks to get tight hip flexors from sitting too much. That is tightness just inside and in front of the pelvis. It can tighten up the abdomen and put pressure on the guts which is uncomfortable and can slow down transit time causing constipation. The pelvis can also shift out of alignment from this. A physical therapist can help and hopefully get him walking again. Have you discussed this with his doctor? Walking is so important after surgery and spine procedures.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @grrranny "Thanks so much, Kpickowitz! I've shown these to hubby, and hopefully he'll be able to do..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

Thanks so much, Kpickowitz!
I've shown these to hubby, and hopefully he'll be able to do something like these, allowing for shortness of breath with exertion -- due to Pulmonary Fibrosis.
He'd like to know how many minutes did your sessions last, and for how many days per week?

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@grrranny I had just responded to your other post about hubby in the recliner. Since you mentioned he has pulmonary fibrosis, it would be good to consult his doctor about physical therapy. A PT can help a lot with issues of muscle tightness that restricts breathing. I just finished working with a PT and doing myofascial release for this because my ribs were not expanding enough. It can make a big difference. If I can’t move my lungs enough, it starts to trap phlegm which then turns into a chest infection. My allergies and asthma contribute to that. Tight muscles in the chest and neck and abdomen below the rib cage can impede full expansion of the rib cage and that is needed to create the negative pressure or “suction “ that inflates the lungs when you breathe. Does this make sense?

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Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | Jan 1, 2024
In reply to @grrranny "My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago --..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago -- to the point where the pain has affected his appetite adversely. He still has to take a muscle relaxer and pain med every day, is lying on a heating pad in his recliner, and is not able to walk around the room but a few times every day. Have any of you experienced anything like this after Kyphoplasty surgery? I'm concerned about his slow recovery from this T9 Kyphoplasty compared to the one on his T8 two years ago.

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My contributions to abdominal issues are relevant for a side entry incision. But still wishing your hubby the best and he’s lucky to have such a concerned care giver. Happy New Year

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pinetreestate | @pinetreestate | Jan 1, 2024
In reply to @kpickowitz "I have had T11&12 kyphoplasty with 12 months of PT following each . Consisted of core..." + (show)
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I have had T11&12 kyphoplasty with 12 months of PT following each . Consisted of core strengthening exercises using 1 ib weights, rowing with therma bands, door frame stretches, lying on stomach with leg lifts and arm lifts. Warm up on sitting stepper for 10 min fisrt. Ending session with either cold pack or heat depending on whether or not I was having paraspinal muscle spasms.

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Did this help you, was it painful?

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grrranny | @grrranny | Jan 1, 2024
In reply to @grrranny "My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago --..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

My 82 year-old hubby has been experiencing abdominal tightness/soreness ever since Kyphoplasty 4 wks. ago -- to the point where the pain has affected his appetite adversely. He still has to take a muscle relaxer and pain med every day, is lying on a heating pad in his recliner, and is not able to walk around the room but a few times every day. Have any of you experienced anything like this after Kyphoplasty surgery? I'm concerned about his slow recovery from this T9 Kyphoplasty compared to the one on his T8 two years ago.

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Thanks, Phil! I hope you’re much better now! Hubbs is improving very gradually, but it’s awfully slow going…

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grrranny | @grrranny | Jan 1, 2024
In reply to @jenniferhunter "@grrranny It is very common for older folks to get tight hip flexors from sitting too..." + (show)
Profile picture for Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter

@grrranny It is very common for older folks to get tight hip flexors from sitting too much. That is tightness just inside and in front of the pelvis. It can tighten up the abdomen and put pressure on the guts which is uncomfortable and can slow down transit time causing constipation. The pelvis can also shift out of alignment from this. A physical therapist can help and hopefully get him walking again. Have you discussed this with his doctor? Walking is so important after surgery and spine procedures.

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Jennifer, thank you! I showed this to hubby and he actually got out of his chair and walked around the room two times today — twice. After orthopedic surgeon follow up and Endocrinologist for new osteoporosis meds — will be referred to a Physical Therapist.

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Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jan 1, 2024
In reply to @grrranny "Jennifer, thank you! I showed this to hubby and he actually got out of his chair..." + (show)
Profile picture for grrranny @grrranny

Jennifer, thank you! I showed this to hubby and he actually got out of his chair and walked around the room two times today — twice. After orthopedic surgeon follow up and Endocrinologist for new osteoporosis meds — will be referred to a Physical Therapist.

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That's great @grrranny ! That sounds like progress. I'm glad he has you looking after him.

Jennifer

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rachelgarfein | @rachelgarfein | Jul 28 10:36am
In reply to @upstatephil "My contributions to abdominal issues are relevant for a side entry incision. But still wishing your..." + (show)
Profile picture for Phil, Alumni Mentor @upstatephil

My contributions to abdominal issues are relevant for a side entry incision. But still wishing your hubby the best and he’s lucky to have such a concerned care giver. Happy New Year

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i had side entry incision feb, 4 2024. why does my abdomen hurt now,

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