Should you have kyphoplasty to treat a spinal fracture?

Aarp

Should you have kyphoplasty to treat a spinal fracture?"


Play all audios:

Loading...

While kyphoplasty patients can have complications, including cement leakage or spinal cord damage, these are rare. FOR EXPERT TIPS TO HELP FEEL YOUR BEST, GET AARP’S MONTHLY HEALTH


NEWSLETTER. The alternative to newer kyphoplasty procedures is good old natural healing, with a period of bed rest from three days to a couple of weeks, followed by avoiding nearly all


physical activity for many weeks thereafter — all in order to immobilize the back to allow the broken vertebral bone to heal. Doctors also advise wearing a brace to restrict movement, along


with taking often high doses of pain medication. "A lot of people say, ‘Oh, how can you not treat a spinal fracture?'” Kallmes says. “But, really putting someone on bed rest is


like putting an arm in a sling for a fracture of the arm.” That said, natural healing has its drawbacks, too, which include possible negative effects of pain medication and the loss of


muscle or function that comes with so much time spent not moving. Doctors also report that patients find braces highly uncomfortable. If you've fractured a vertebra, whether you've


chosen natural healing or kyphoplasty, the risk for future spinal compression remains high. Some studies suggest the hardened bone cement injected during a kyphoplasty increases the strain


on adjacent vertebrae, leading to an even higher fracture risk. As a result, following any vertebral fracture treatment, Kallmes says that “being treated for their osteoporosis, that's


the absolute, number 1 most important thing." While you'll need to see a doctor to do so, such treatment often involves upping your calcium intake through diet or supplements, and,


possibly, going on medication to slow bone loss. Specific exercise to build bone and strengthen muscles involved in balance (while protecting the site of any previous fracture) is also key.


Another simple, yet effective way to prevent subsequent spinal fractures? Avoid bending, especially to pick up or lift something. “Every time you bend forward, there's more pressure


put on the front part of the bones [in the spine],” notes Matthew Drake, M.D., an endocrinologist with the Mayo Clinic. “If you have enough of that pressure and you have a bone that's


not as strong, that vertebra can basically just crush a little bit.”


Trending News

Obama to challenge israelis on peace efforts during visit

WASHINGTON -- President Obama, who will make his first visit to Israel as president later this month, will challenge Isr...

Pulwama attack: candlelight marches across arunachal

A large number of people from all walks of life including students took out candlelight marches in different parts of Ar...

Supreme court admits plea seeking himanta's removal as bai president

The Supreme Court, on Monday, admitted a plea seeking removal of Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma from the post of BAI...

Hardy Oil sees crude sales restart in 2014

UK-based, India-focused oil explorer Hardy Oil expects to resume production from its defunct oil producing asset in the ...

Bombers suspend hurley for pre-season

The West Australian Essendon have suspended young defender Michael Hurley until the start of the AFL regular season over...

Latests News

East Launceston croquet duo take out Easter handicap doubles final

AdLocal SportLocal FootyLocal SportLocal FootyNews HomeNewsSportCommunityTributes & FuneralsClassifiedsExplore TravelEnt...

Should you have kyphoplasty to treat a spinal fracture?

While kyphoplasty patients can have complications, including cement leakage or spinal cord damage, these are rare. FOR E...

House of commons urged to stop huge nuneaton fire station change

The House of Commons is being urged to step in and stop a huge change at Nuneaton Fire Station. Under controversial Warw...

Shillong teer & jowai teer result today, 20 september 2023 : first round and second round number list

Almost every evening or working day thousands of people across Meghalaya eagerly wait for the Shillong Teer results whic...

Jack dorsey leaves twitter's board of directors

Jack Dorsey is leaving the board of Twitter, effective today. The move had been telegraphed last fall, when he stepped d...

Top