topic Re: Kyphoplasty in Wellness

Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:14:46 GMT

I have a compression fracture in my back..actually two. The fracture is not healing properly, my doctor wants to do Kyphoplasty..has anyone ever heard of this or had the procedure? I am nervous and to be perfectly honest with you I feel like something else is going on...L5-S!. Not understanding why arms become weak and my hands go numb...also would this type of fractute cause severe pain in the calf and groin area..just confused over the whole thing..last night for a few minutes I was seeing double..prior to that blurry. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I have already talked to my doctor..he wants to do this procedure..my primary says go to the ER..which is a nightmare.

Gracie

Re: Kyphoplasty

Squirt60 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:30:53 GMT

My Husband had this procedure done on December 9th. He also had a compression fracture. The Surgery only took about 45 minutes and what they do is make a very small incision and fill in the fracture with cement. After the surgery he was in the recovery room for about an hour or do and was able to come home. He has not had any pain since. The incision is very small and they just put a band aid to cover it.

Good luck to you

Re: Kyphoplasty

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:47:15 GMT

The goals of a kyphoplasty surgical procedure are designed to stop the pain caused by a spinal fracture, to stabilize the bone, and to restore some or all of the lost vertebral body height due to the compression fracture. Kyphoplasty is a type of Vertebral Augmentation for Compression Fractures.

Description of Kyphoplasty Surgery - Spine-Health

www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/description-kyphoplasty-surgery

Here's an explanation and picture for those who don't know what this procedure is:

Description of Kyphoplasty Surgery - Spine-Health

www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/description-kyphoplasty-surgery

I go to an enormous group of Drs who can and do operate when necessary. However, there are so many things available to try first that they say wait for surgery because they've seen too many times when it doesn't help and sometimes makes things way worse.

I have back problems (somewhat similar) but no operation right now would make a difference for me. Meanwhile, I've had every new procedure offered. Some are really new.

Re: Kyphoplasty

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 15:50:39 GMT

I tried over and over to post an explanation of what this is with a picture and for some reason garbage came up and it kept trying to change and delete the picture. Sorry.

This procedure doesn't always fix the problem. There are a lot of other options out there. However, if you trust the Dr.......

I'd get another opinion because my Drs (there are many in the group) who say it doesn't fix the problem and sometimes makes it worse. Just get a second opinion, it's too important not to do that.

ps I hate it when people say, "get a second opinion".

Re: Kyphoplasty

happycat — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:17:52 GMT

@gracie2014

I'm sorry you are having problems. While I don't know anything about compression fractures, I have learned to listen to my gut feeling on things. That is what I would advise you. If you feel like something else is going on, I would get a second opinion and possibly a third, until you feel comfortable. I have known of too many people who have had different surgeries and had major regrets, myself being one.

Good luck.

Re: Kyphoplasty

LilacTree — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:50:32 GMT

I had kyphoplasty on two compressed vertebrae. They don't do two in a row, they skip one in between. I was given "twilight sleep," so I was aware of the physical feeling, but no pain. You are aware that a thin spike is being hammered into your back with a hammer and that is an odd feeling. They then insert the substance and close up the very small holes with bandages, not a Band-Aid (not for me anyway).

I still have discomfort in those vertebrae, so I probably would not do it again. I also have eight other vertebral compressions which healed on their own and a couple that have broken twice.

My back hurts every day and I cannot stand up for more than five minutes without it starting. I consider it chronic and have learned to live with it. I just sit or lie down when it gets really bad.

Getting up off the table and walking down the hallway? Didn't happen to me, but then I am small, I guess it depends on how fragile one is. I seldom have the other symptoms you describe. Calf and groin area pain sounds like hip problems.

I have severe osteoporosis and it sounds as though you might also. I also have RA, so it could be that as well.

Everyone is different, it could work very well for you, especially if the rest of your spine is in good condition. Good luck.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 18:22:13 GMT

@Squirt60 thanks so much for sharing, happy things worked out for your husband.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 18:30:22 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 My friend's husband has been told about something much bigger coming very soon..as I have so many injured parts of my back don't know what to do..last night I had double vision for a few minutes and then everything went blurry before returning to normal..I just don't think this is the right answer for me..so very thankful to you for sharing.

As a side note..your common sense responses always give me a chuckle, enjoy reading them.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 18:35:35 GMT

@happycat Thanks for your advice, my gut is telling me no...that something more is going on..that the doctors are missing something..I have had that happen at least two if not more times..every so often I have to take a break from the docs..

Gracie

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 18:52:29 GMT

@LilacTree Thanks LilacTree, my biggest concern is it not giving me the relief I need and for the pain to continue..I have herd from a good friend that there is somerhing much better coming down the road..think i will just have to wait for something better...and not push myself..I am afraid of the spine collapsing or something drastic happening if I take another bad fall.

Re: Kyphoplasty

tucsongal — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 21:07:26 GMT

If you have not done so already, I would suggest seeing a neurologist.

Re: Kyphoplasty

Annabellethecat66 — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 23:40:36 GMT

@gracie2014 Thanks for the kind words. I've been dealing with my bad back since probably 2003 at least. I broke it in 3 places when I was 18. It healed and I had no trouble then it started acting up (pain here and there). By 2004 it was terrible and it has been down hill since then.

I've had everything you can (and can't imagine done to my back, except operations, which won't help). My Dr took my blood, extracted the platlets (something like that) out and injected it into my spine. It didn't do anything. I've had lots of prolotheraphy done to it. Didn't help my back but helped other parts of my body. I've had radio frequency something done, things I can't even pronounce done to my back. Nothing has given me any kind of relief.

Anyone with back pain knows how bad it can get. The thing is no one can see it, but boy it tells you it's there. Right?

Now both knees are shot and I'm about to get them both replaced at the same time. I have a lot of arthritis and fibromyalgia so that doesn't help.

I'm a mess (Ha!).

The only thing I do know is that every Dr says an operation would only make things worse. Ever had a trigger? I know you probably have. A trigger will bring you to your knees (the immediate pain is so intense, I've vomited before). I have learned how to take a tennis ball and work the trigger area (talk about pain...).

Anyway, I hope you get some relief because back pain is terrible and those who have a little backache have no idea what REAL back pain is...do they?

Take care and know you are not alone in your quest to be pain free. Fondly Annabelle/Linda

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:22:11 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 yep, you are correct...by the way I do have fibromyalgia and a disease called acute intermittent porphyria..there are times my body seems like a parody of the Three stooges..the episode, Whose on First...A good friend's husband just had acupuncture done for his back..and has the fine needles protruding out of his ears..they are to remain in there for 4-7 days! How does steep with those things and don't they come out when showering? Wonder what the folks in his office think..BUT he claims they are ridding the body of pain....hope this makes sense....pain level is out of this world tonight.

Re: Kyphoplasty

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:28:01 GMT

@gracie2014 The things we will do just to get some kind of relief...right?

My dear friend since middle school has porphyria. Her mother died from a heart attack caused by the pain of the disease. I have been with her when she had a terrible attack. The things I could tell you this girl has been through would curl your toenails. She has one daughter (now adult) and was tested, and doesn't have it.

I'm sorry you have that because I know what that involves and people here (unless they are familiar with it, not many are) have no idea what pain it causes. It makes my back problems look like a walk in the park. I'm so sorry you are dealing with that.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:46:12 GMT

@tucsongal I have been seen by a neurologist...my concern is with the guys doing the Kyphoplasty..they remind me of a used salesman..they wanted to do this almost a year ago....but I wanted to go the PT/OT route and see if it would heal naturally after spending a week in the hospital Once released from the hospital I had PT come to my home until I was strong enough to be driven to outpatient PT/OT after a month or so, PT said something else was going on so tried getting in touch with my primary..took three weeks...and then once the MRI was done her office wouldn't get the results of the MRI...so even though I had not yet been released to drive...drove myself to the MRI and picked up the DVD and report and read the result to the PT..bypassing my primary who is useless. and was told all the could do was make me stong enough for back surgery...then saw another doctor and another IR doctor/Interventional Radiologist following a third MRI..each MRI shows it worsening..I am pretty much over this whole ordeal.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:55:24 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 Thank you..it is a horrible disease..and we have to be so careful..we are accustomed to pain..I am 61 and have been dealing with it since the 9th grade..the good thing is an infusion called panhematin..as soon as we feel an attack coming on we call our doctor..in my case it is a hematologist..and we are admitted for about 5 days....between the fibro, the back and the AIP/acute intermittent porphyria feel like I am about to lose my mind..I can't take most pain meds because they are on the unsafe list for folks with the disease..and the ones I should be able to take I have severe allergic reactions..this past year has been horrible..I look like I have aged 10 years..

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 00:58:23 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 I will keep you in my prayers..I have had AVN since my thirties..hips and both shoulders..I am awaiting until a bionic version is released.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 01:05:06 GMT

@tucsongal Neurology has been involved forever, because of my acute intermittent porphyria..this can cause dangerous levels of porphyrins to build up in our systems..this gets into the bloodstream, attacks the nervous system and can cause seizures..so neuro is a member of my team.

Re: Kyphoplasty

gracie2014 — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 03:26:52 GMT

@Annabellethecat66 Has your friend tried the panhematin? If she has not already please have her contact the American Porphyria Foundation..there is much going on in this field in terms of research..The foundation will send her a packet of information for her doctors, they will give her info to be handed to the doctors in the Emergency Rooms as well...through their site she and her doctors can look up all medications to see if they are ok to use...there are sites for finding out if a med is safe or not around the world..IMO South Africa and the one in Tel Aviv and the one in Europe are the best..on facebook there are several support groups...they are priceless...she will meet others going through the same thing..there are also a couple of groups that put out highly inaccurate info...let me know if I can be of help..I know there is an important meeting scheduled to take place next month with the FDA..if not mistaken... Desiree Lyons is the liason for lack of a better word....she will give your friend her telephone number..and has assisted me even when she herself was quite sick.

Gracie

Re: Kyphoplasty

LilacTree — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 21:17:15 GMT

@gracie2014 wrote:
@LilacTree Thanks LilacTree, my biggest concern is it not giving me the relief I need and for the pain to continue..I have herd from a good friend that there is somerhing much better coming down the road..think i will just have to wait for something better...and not push myself..I am afraid of the spine collapsing or something drastic happening if I take another bad fall.

@gracie2014

Odd you should bring up falling. I had a bad fall back in August 2016 and broke my shoulder, hit my head resulting in a huge hematoma, and my left knee with soft tissue damage that is still active. Nothing happened to my back . . . so I was so happy about that, that I was mostly unimpressed about everything else. Even after PT my shoulder is only mostly okay. The ortho doc said that is probably the most normal it will ever get. I can't reach too high with that arm but I continue to exercise it often. My back is still my most chronic daily pain issue. That and RA fatigue. And chronic itching.

But as you said, I fear falling again most of all.