A new minimally invasive treatment for the pain of spinal fractures
While most people associate osteoporosis with hip fractures, the most common fracture caused by osteoporosis actually occurs in the spine. Over 700,000 spine fractures occur each year in the U.S. Eighty-three percent of all spinal fractures are caused by osteoporosis; fourteen percent are due to traumatic events such as traffic accidents or falls and three percent are related to diseases such as cancer or localized bone disease. The George Washington University Hospital offers a minimally invasive treatment to help relieve patients suffering from often debilitating pain. Kyphoplasty uses new technology, which restores height to the spine, reduces deformities and quickly relieves pressure and pain.
The first spine fracture a person suffers changes the alignment of the spine and increases the risk of future compression fractures. As more fractures occur, the spine shortens and falls forward, resulting in spinal deformity. Called kyphosis or "dowager's hump," the deformity often is seen in the elderly. The chest and abdomen become compressed making normal activities painful or difficult- walking, eating and sleeping. Normal breathing also is affected by the spinal deformity, which puts individuals at increased risk of disease. Together, the medical problems related to spine fractures potentially lead to decreased activity and additional bone loss, further increasing the risk of future fracture. Kyphoplasty helps patients feel pain relief quickly and avoid these complications.
How does Kyphoplasty work?
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The GW physician (orthopaedic surgeon, neurosurgeon or interventional radiologist) uses X-ray imaging to guide needles through two small incisions into the patient's collapsed vertebrae. |
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Special balloons, called bone tamps, are then inserted and carefully inflated to elevate the fractured vertebrae and return the spine to its normal positioning. |
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Once the balloon is removed there is space between the fractured vertebrae to inject a cement-like fluid, called polymenthyl methacrylate. (PMMA) |
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PMMA fills in the void created by the bone tamp to support and stabilize the vertebrae and thus relieving the patient's back pain. |
What are the advantages of kyphoplasty?
- Most patients feel better within 12 to 48 hours of the treatment.
- Patients experience only localized anesthesia and are able to resume normal activities quickly.
- The use of the balloons allows for safer placement of cement when compared to other techniques, such as vertebroplasty.
Is kyphoplasty right for you?
Unfortunately, not all patients are candidates for kyphoplasty. For example, some patients with osteoporosis or an established spinal deformity should not use kyphoplasty. However, most successful restoration occurs in patients who have the procedure within 8 weeks of the spine fracture. Only your physician can determine what treatment is right for you, and he or she may need to perform several tests to determine if this is an appropriate treatment option.
For more information about the kyphoplasty procedure, or for a referral to a physician who performs the procedure please call 1-888-4GWDOCS.
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