Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support

murielm99

(31,520 posts) Fri Dec 13, 2024, 04:20 PM Dec 13

I have a history of compression fractures.

They are painful and make it hard to lift anything. Some of you know as well that I am in remission from lung cancer. That is going well.

It is possible that I qualify for a kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that can help fix these fractures. I would be able to stand up straight again. The pain would go away, eventually, and I would have no more fractures in my back. I am having an MRI on the 23rd. Of course, all of this stuff scares the crap out of me. I worry about more cancer, even though my regular scans show me to be cancer free.

Has anyone else been through this for compression fractures? I am being a big sissy.

4 replies

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I have a history of compression fractures. (Original Post) murielm99 Dec 13 OP

I haven't XanaDUer2 Dec 13 #1

I don't know a thing about it. sheshe2 Dec 13 #2

My father underwent kyphoplasty, not for compression Mike 03 Dec 13 #3

Hey there, fellow spine patient! I'm a big chicken too! Granny Blue Dec 13 #4

XanaDUer2

(14,602 posts)

1. I haven't

Reply to murielm99 (Original post)

Fri Dec 13, 2024, 04:26 PM

Dec 13

But I'm pulling for you

sheshe2

(88,143 posts)

2. I don't know a thing about it.

Reply to murielm99 (Original post)

Fri Dec 13, 2024, 04:51 PM

Dec 13

However...

Mike 03

(17,361 posts)

3. My father underwent kyphoplasty, not for compression

Reply to murielm99 (Original post)

Fri Dec 13, 2024, 05:19 PM

Dec 13

fractures but for myeloma-related fractures to his back and it helped him immensely. I asked my mother for her recollections and she described as a minor procedure and she doesn't remember any complications, difficulties or side effects arising from it. He went through a period where he had a lot of medical procedures performed in a relatively short period of time, so in that context it was something that helped his pain level a lot.

Sorry I don't remember more specifics about the procedure. I truly hope you get some relief from your back issues.

Please let us know if you get this done and how it goes.

Granny Blue

(35 posts)

4. Hey there, fellow spine patient! I'm a big chicken too!

Reply to murielm99 (Original post)

Fri Dec 13, 2024, 10:36 PM

Dec 13

I have no specific wisdom to impart, but I really think you should get a second opinion and possibly consider some physical therapy with a specialized spine therapist if available in your area. You may want to learn about the problem and the procedure, so here is the Merck manual for Consumers article:

Compression Fractures of the Spine
https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/fractures/compression-fractures-of-the-spine?query=balloon%20kyphoplasty

I’ve had a few minimally invasive procedures, and found them helpful. Make sure your surgeon does these all the time. Since your underlying problem is osteoporosis, I would look into physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your spine, which hold your vertebrae in place, get a workup from a pain clinic for (non addictive) pain control, and get a second opinion on the surgery. Kyphoplasty will help the immediate problem, but the underlying problem is osteoporosis and kyphoplasty will not address that. The conservative route is a lot of work, but the results are worth it, IMHO! Good luck, I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you!

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