What are the pros and cons for Kyphoplasty?

Posted by mila @mila, Aug 13, 2019

Has anyone in the board had Kyphoplasty surgery? If so, what are the pros/cons?
Thanks

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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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Profile picture for kpickowitz @kpickowitz

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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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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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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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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Thank you all for your stories. I am considering Kyphoplasty 21 weeks following a traumatic injury compression fracture to my L1 with delayed healing and continued pain and reduced flexibility. My physical therapist supports the procedure, but I have concerns...once it's done, it's done...no going back. I'm 57, no osteoporosis, but already feeling that my posture has changed and this could be a turning point - despite working hard to build core strength, I am starting to lean forward. My appointment with Interventional Nuclear Radiology is in 3 weeks. In addition, I have L2-S1 Facet Joint effusion/Arthropathy, for which I have an appointment with a Physical Medicine Rehabilitation MD for pain and inflammation management. That appointment is two weeks before Nuclear Radiology - and I fear the pain management will mask the symptoms of the compression fracture until it's too late for Kyphoplasty repair. I really don't know what to do. I had to wait for months for both of these appointments and simply take what I could get and drive long distances for both...Any stories or advice out there would be helpful.

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This study says outcomes are better within 10 weeks (acute) vs greater than 16 weeks (chronic).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19681328/
I didn't have one. I have 7 spinal fractures and my posture is not too bad.

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Profile picture for taylorbj @taylorbj

I would like to hear the pros and cons of doing Kyphoplasty or Verteboplasty. I am scheduled for it next week but pain from compression fracture is so much better after four weeks.I am concerned about the bleeding factor and whether my back will be curved without it.It is T12 vertebrae.Thank you all.

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Did you end up having h th e Kyphoplasty? I also have T12 compression fracture and not sure what to do at 5 weeks.

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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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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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@grrranny Yes I have the same problem 3 months after Kyphoplasty T4 was broken. Now T12 is broken.

I cannot get another Dr to see me because they all say I have to wait a year.

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