Wellness

[gracie2014]

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

[Squirt60]

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

[Annabellethecat66]

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:

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

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.

[Annabellethecat66]

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".

[happycat]

@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.

[LilacTree]

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.

[gracie2014]

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

[gracie2014]

@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.

[gracie2014]

@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

[gracie2014]

@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.