Hello…What is Kyphoplasty?

Here you go: http://www.kyphon.com/us/patient.aspx?contentid=17

Hello @mila, welcome to Connect. I would like to invite @oregongirl, @contentandwell, and @hosta who have discussed undergoing kyphoplasty in the past on Connect. @mila, if you are comfortable sharing, is there a particular injury that has led to you looking into kyphoplasty as a treatment?

Hi @mila. I too welcome you to Connect. As @JustinMcClanahan mentioned, I did have kyphoplasty after breaking a vertebra. It helped a lot for a couple of weeks and then I wrenched my back twisting to prevent a fall and I think I did something to it, it was not as good after that, but still better than what it had been. I have lost weight since then and there is a bump in my back where the broken vertebra was. I suspect that is because I displaced it. If I sit on a hard-backed chair it bothers me, but otherwise it does not. Prior to having it, I had an MRI (I think it was an MRI) to show the doctor exactly what he had to work with. The kyphoplasty was done by a radiologist. I live in southern NH and he is considered to be the expert in it.

I see no downside to having it, except it may not be covered by your insurance. If you are on Medicare I believe it is covered, but at that time I was on regular insurance and despite getting it pre-approved they then turned the claim down! I had to go through hoops to get them to pay, but they finally did.
JK

@contentandwell When I had my fracture they presented it to me but I turned it down at the time but with aqua therapy mine healed up but mine was a compressed fracture not a compound that may have made the difference . But now the xray showed another fracture so Dr. wants me to have a MRI . I'm not sure if this is the old fracture she was looking at or a new one .

@lioness Your fracture was in your back, wasn’t it? We have a jacuzzi tub but it’s difficult to get in and out of, otherwise I would be using it.
JK

@contentandwell Yes it was in my back I'm sure the javuzzi would do you a world of good . I was in aqua therapy for 9 months Tell your son to make you a sling.?lol

@lioness. I don’t think that’s going to happen since he’s in Denver and I’m in NH. If he was here he would just pick me up and put me in!
JK

@contentandwell You can only wish huh Right now my back is to sore to even go to pool

@lioness. Linda, I’m sorry to hear that you are in such pain. Back problems really are miserable. I presume there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you see that light soon.
JK

@contentandwell Thanks JK . I talked to Dr. today she is ordering me an MRI ASAP She didn't see any fracture thinking it was my old fracture so I'm grateful for this but I don't know what it is . Also my dexa scan came back and showed only Osteopenia has decreased but no osteoporosis Who do you trust any more? I hope to see the light next week after MRI

@lioness Good luck with this, Linda. You were a nurse so you are ahead of the game more than I am. I seem to have an aversion to medical jargon.
Let us know how the MRI turns out. I have gotten so used to my yearly MRIs that they don't bother me at all anymore. They take my hearing aids out so I can barely hear the commands but I know what they are out of habit. I think having poor hearing makes the MRI noises more tolerable.
JK

@contentandwell I will let you know They do the same with me I take my hearing aids out and it is much more quieter At least I know its not a new fracture as I was afraid of. One hurdle crossed one more to go .

Hello, all. I am wondering if anyone has had kyphoplasty done; and if so, what were the results??
My husband is scheduled for surgery this month, but I would like to know if there are any alternatives; also if anyone has tried a back brace or physical therapy for the condition, and if that was successful.
Any replies or advice appreciated.