Connect
My story, Kyphoplasty advice
In 2020 I broke my L1 vertebrae falling off the bed while having a leg cramp and that's when I learned I have osteoporosis. In the following two years I managed to increase my lumbar T-score from -4.6 to -4.0 by doing osteoporosis specific exercises from the Bone Clinic in Australia, and taking supplements. Three weeks ago I had a Dexa scan and my lumbar T-score dropped back to -4.4 and it showed three new, stable compression fractures in the lumbar region which were from shoveling snow early this year. Then, two weeks ago I restarted my osteoporosis exercises after not doing them for 8 months. As a result, I injured my back again with a compression fracture at T7, possibly from jumping jacks.
This morning I visited the surgeon who does kyphoplasty and he recommended the surgery to prevent the compression fracture from worsening into more of a wedge. He also said it would alleviate any pain in the area. I have barely any pain and often no pain, but I don't want another wedge shaped vertebrae. I understand the wedges compound and can damage the entire spine. Additionally, the surgeon mentioned there are 4 studies which disprove the idea that the hardness of cement in one vertebrae can cause other vertebrae to fracture around it. He gave me this article. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38811388/ I am trying to decide if I should do this. If I do the surgery, it needs to be done soon. I appreciate any advice on kyphoplasty.
In addition to having to make the decision on surgery, I now I feel my bones are too fragile to do many of the activities I love, especially bicycling, at least until I can get my bones back on track.
I'm just beginning to read more on osteoporosis and follow discussions here. I very much want to do things naturally but realize perhaps that isn't enough at this stage. I appreciate reading discussions on Osteostrong, Keith McCormick, Dr. Doug Lucas and others.
If anyone has a provider who is an osteoporosis expert they like, and especially one who uses both natural and traditional cures, I would very much appreciate it if you could share that.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.
Connect
Thanks @maggie22. I think I will go ahead with it next week. I am afraid to do it but more afraid not to.
Dear Maggie 25,
I can't advise on kyphoplasty, but for myself at -3.6 for spine, improved from -4, I avoid jumping but there is plenty you can do when you are healed.
Do get advice but I do heel drops, bird dog, dead bug and other exercises.
I do wish you well, Sharon
I also needed back surgery, a fusion, which they could not do due to my osteoporosis. I was started on Forteo to build bones so I could eventually have the surgery to relieve pain and stabilize my bones. After talking to my endocrinologist she explained many athletes take a bone Builder, Tymlos or Forteo to help with rapid healing. Iwas
told. After 18 months of Forteo and 6month to 1 yr of Fosmax. I could (probably) maintain with healthy diet and exercise.
(I have no other health issues) with your number i would start an anabolic medicine. Best regards.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI'm with the surgeon. Kyphoplasty will stabilize the fracture and restore some of the height of the vertebra involved. Early in the application of the bone cement there was a tendency to overfill the leaking of which it thought to have caused fracture in lower vertebra. Even without pain, I think kyphoplasty is well worth having.
My surgeon recommended against kyphoplasty and said the outcome would be the same without, but that in the short term it sometimes brought some pain relief. I have 7 fractures and haven't had any kyphoplasties. Who knows what the right decision is: there are pros and cons to both.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI needed phys therapy after because of back pain. I bought a pair of Hoka sneakers. The pts told me one mile was enough, don't push it. Now I do 5 miles. Be on the watch for compression fractures. I got a comp fracture from pulling out weeds. Got that fixed and are now getting Evenity shots.Take it as a warning sign and do what's needed now for prevention. Good Luck.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactiondelete
can kyphoplasty or osteoplasty (or other modality) be used to reconstruct entire sections of a spine diagnosed with severe osteoporosis 50+ years post-Harrington rod surgery?
hi harrington50,
the timeline on kyphoplasty is eight weeks because by then the vertebral bone has started to heal. Kyphoplasty is said to restore 50 to 91% of lost height. Vertebroplasty can be performed many years later, but it doesn't restore height. It is sometimes done to protect a vertebral body from further collapse, or for stabilization.